epis·co·pa·cy \ə̇ˈpiskəpəsē, ēˈ-, -si\noun (-es) Etymology:episcopate (I) + -cy 1.: government of the church by bishops or by a hierarchy (as of bishops, priests, and deacons) < tough Presbyterian Scots who had overthrown the episcopacy — George Willison > 2.: the state of being a bishop : episcopal rank 3.: diocese 4.: episcopate 3