highbishop

English

Alternative forms

• high-bishop, highbishop

Etymology

From Middle English *heahbischop, from Old English hēahbisċop (“archbishop, pontiff; (Jewish) high-priest”), equivalent to high +‎ bishop.

Noun

highbishop (plural highbishops)

1. Archbishop.
   • 1902, John Healy, Insula sanctorum et doctorum:

     The Four Masters call him High-bishop of Connaught, because he was doubtless the most distinguished prelate of his time, for as yet there was no metropolitan See of Tuam.

   • 1949, Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society - Page 54:

     Maurice, the highbishop mentioned in the charter, was Muireadhach Ua Dubhthaigh who took part in the peace negotiations with Cormac Mac Carthaigh at Abhall Ceitearnaigh in 1134.

   • 1980, Kathleen Hughes, The church in early Irish society - Page 112:

     She was asserting ecclesiastical suzerainty as 'highbishop' much as the Ui Nelll kings of Tara were claiming suzerainty over other provincial kings.

   • 2007, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Michael A. Faletra, The History of the Kings of Britain:

     The Three Tribal Thrones of the Isle of Britain: Arthur as the High Prince in Menevia and Dewi as the High Bishop and Maelgwn Gwynedd as the High Elder; Arthur as the High Prince in Celliwig in Cornwall and Bedwin as the High Bishop and Caradoc Breichbras as the High Elder; [...]