Di"o*cese (?), n.; pl. Dioceses (#). [OE. diocise, OF. diocise, F. dioc'ese, L. dioecesis, fr. Gr. housekeeping, administration, a province, a diocese, fr. to keep house, manage; through + to manage a household, a house. See Economy.] Eccl.
The circuit or extent of a bishop's jurisdiction; the district in which a bishop exercises his ecclesiastical authority.
[Frequently, but improperly, spelt
diocess.]
© Webster 1913.