bishop
UK[ˈbɪʃəp]US[ˈbɪʃəp]
n
A senior member of the Christian clergy, typically in charge of a diocese and empowered to confer holy orders.
n
A chess piece that can move any number of squares diagonally.
Etymology
The word 'bishop' originates from the Greek term 'episkopos', meaning 'overseer' or 'guardian', composed of 'epi-' (over) and 'skopos' (watcher). This was adopted into Latin as 'episcopus' and subsequently into Old English as 'bisceop' through early Christian missionaries. The term's journey reflects the spread of ecclesiastical hierarchy, with its core meaning of a supervising church official remaining constant. The application to the chess piece, dating from the 16th century, arose from the piece's mitre-shaped top, resembling a bishop's headdress.
Analysis
The word 'bishop' is a simplex loanword from Greek, entering English via Latin and Old English. Its spelling and form are not productively divisible into smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern English.
Examples
The bishop led the confirmation service at the cathedral.
She captured my knight with her bishop.
The conference was attended by bishops from around the world.