DIOCESE

Di″o‐cese (?), n.; pl. Dioceses (#). [[OE. diocise, OF. diocise, F. diocése, L. dioecesis, fr. Gr. � housekeeping, administration, a province, a diocese, fr. � to keep house, manage; διά 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.]