First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
diocese
noun di·o·cese \ˈdī-ə-səs, -ˌsēs, -ˌsēz\
: the area that is controlled by a bishop in a Christian church
plural di·o·ces·es\ˈdī-ə-sə-səz, -ˌsē-zəz, ÷ˈdī-ə-ˌsēz\
Full Definition of DIOCESE
: the territorial jurisdiction of a bishop
— di·oc·e·san \dī-ˈä-sə-sən also ˈdī-ə-ˌsē-sən\ adjective
See diocese defined for English-language learners
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Origin of DIOCESE
Middle English diocise, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin diocesis, alteration of dioecesis, from Latin, administrative division, from Greek dioikēsis administration, administrative division, from dioikein to keep house, govern, from dia- + oikein to dwell, manage, from oikos house — more at vicinity
Rhymes with DIOCESE
Ambonese, Androcles, Annamese, antifreeze, Assamese, Balinese, Bengalese, Bhutanese, Bolognese, Brooklynese, Cantonese, Cervantes, Ceylonese, Chersonese, Congolese, cottage cheese, expertise, Faeroese, federalese, fifth disease, Genovese, gourmandise, Hebrides, Heracles, Hercules, Hyades, ill at ease, in a breeze, Japanese, Javanese, Johnsonese, journalese, Kanarese, legalese, litotes, manganese, Milanese, Nepalese, Nipponese, overseas, Pekingese, Pericles, Pleiades, Portuguese, Pyrenees, shoot the breeze, Siamese, Sienese, Silures, Sinhalese, Socrates, Sophocles, Sporades, to one's knees
DIOCESE Defined for Kids
diocese
noun di·o·cese \ˈdī-ə-səs, -ˌsēz\
Definition of DIOCESE for Kids
: the area that is under the authority of a bishop
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