archbishop

[ahrch-bish-uh p] /ˈɑrtʃˈbɪʃ əp/
noun
1.
a bishop of the highest rank who presides over an archbishopric or archdiocese.
Origin
before 900; Middle English; Old English arcebisceop (arce- arch-1 + bisceop bishop), modeled on Late Latin archiepiscopus < Greek archiepískopos; replacing Old English hēahbisceop (see high)
Examples from the web for archbishop
  • The archbishop has all but excommunicated the church board for its refusal to turn over church property to his control.
  • Negotiated with bandits, lanced a soldier, got punched by an archbishop.
  • Even the archbishop narrowly escaped from the effects of this popular anger.
  • Interestingly the archbishop nevertheless preserved the right of capital punishment.
British Dictionary definitions for archbishop

archbishop

/ˈɑːtʃˈbɪʃəp/
noun
1.
a bishop of the highest rank Abbreviation abp, Abp, Arch, Archbp
Word Origin and History for archbishop
n.

Old English ærcebiscop, from Late Latin archiepiscopus, from Greek arkhi- "chief" (see archon) + episkopos "bishop," literally "overseer." Replaced earlier Old English heah biscop (see bishop). The spelling conformed to Latin from 12c.