(n.) Government of the church by bishops; church government by three distinct orders of ministers -- bishops, priests, and deacons -- of whom the bishops have an authority superior and of a different kind.

abbacy aedileship archbishopric archdeaconry archiepiscopacy archiepiscopate aristocracy bishopdom bishopric canonicate canonry cardinalship chairmanship chancellery chancellorate chancellorship chaplaincy chaplainship chiefery chiefry chieftaincy chieftainry chieftainship consulate consulship curacy deaconry deaconship deanery deanship dictatorship dictature directorship emirate episcopate governorship headship hegemony hierarchy leadership lordship magistracy magistrateship magistrature masterdom mastership mastery mayoralty mayorship metropolitanate metropolitanship nobility papacy pashadom pashalic pastorate pastorship patriarchate patriarchy pontificality pontificate popedom popehood popeship prebend prebendaryship prefectship prefecture prelacy prelateship prelature premiership presbyterate presbytery presidency presidentship primacy prime-ministership prime-ministry princedom princeship principality proconsulate proconsulship protectorate protectorship provostry provostship rectorate rectorship regency regentship ruling class seigniory seneschalship seneschalsy sheikhdom sheriffalty sheriffcy sheriffdom shrievalty supervisorship suzerainship suzerainty tribunate vicariate vicarship vizierate viziership