unˈbishop, v.
[un-2 6 b and 4.]
1. trans. To deprive of the office of bishop.
| 1598 Florio, Smetriare, to vnmytre, to vnbishop, to degrade from a mytre. 1628 in Cosin's Corr. (Surtees) i. 153 You in the north, I in the south, are the object of toungs and penns, and I must be unbishop't a-geyne. 1657 Trapp Comm. Job xxxi. 30 The one died ere he came home, and the other was unbishoped. 1691 S. Grascome Reply Vind. Disc. Unreasonableness New Separation 11/2 It was in their power to take away our Orders, and Unpriest and Unbishop us. |
| refl. 1641 Milton Reform. i. Wks. 1851 III. 11 When he steps up into the Chayre of Pontificall Pride,..then he degrades, then he un-Bishops himselfe. 1680 Spirit of Popery 15 By which he did really unbishop himself. |
2. To deprive (a place) of a bishop.
rare—1.
| a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Glouc. i. (1662) 368 Some questioned its Charter, and would have had it Un-Citied, because Un-Bishoped in our Civil Wars. |
Hence
unˈbishop(p)ing vbl. n.| 1636 Prynne (title), The Vnbishoping of Timothy and Titvs. 1641 Lords Spiritual 7 That this un-bishoping intends onely the losse of his Barony and place in Parliament. 1711–2 M. Henry Life P. Henry vii. Wks. 1853 II. 691/2 Much was said, pro and con, touching..the bishoping and unbishoping of Timothy and Titus [etc.]. |