Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Suffragan
Suf′fra-gan
,Adj.
[F.
suffragant
, L. suffragans
, p. pr. of suffragari
to support with one’s vote, to be favorable. See Suffrage
.] Assisting; assistant;
as, a
. suffragan
bishop1.
An assistant.
2.
(Eccl.)
A bishop considered as an assistant, or as subject, to his metropolitan; an assistant bishop.
Webster 1828 Edition
Suffragan
SUF'FRAGAN
,Adj.
SUF'FRAGAN
,Noun.
Definition 2024
suffragan
suffragan
English
Noun
suffragan (plural suffragans)
- A bishop seen in relation to his archbishop or metropolitan province (which may summon him for support, to attend synods etc.).
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter xiiij, in Le Morte Darthur, book XII:
- Now take your hors said sir Tristram And as ye say / soo hit shal be / and alle thyn euylle wil god forgyue it yow and I doo / And here within this myle is the suffrecan of Carleil that shalle gyue yow the sacrament of baptym
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter xiiij, in Le Morte Darthur, book XII:
- An auxiliary bishop.
- 1918, W. B. Maxwell, chapter 3, in The Mirror and the Lamp:
- One saint's day in mid-term a certain newly appointed suffragan-bishop came to the school chapel, and there preached on “The Inner Life.”
- 2015, GR Evans, Edward Hicks: Pacifist Bishop at War:
- A suffragan could share the tasks which were special to bishops; for example, by conducting confirmations.
-
See also
Adjective
suffragan (not comparable)
- Of or pertaining to a suffragan.