diocese

n.; pl. Dioceses [ OE. diocise, OF. diocise, F. diocése, L. dioecesis, fr. Gr. &unr_; housekeeping, administration, a province, a diocese, fr. &unr_; to keep house, manage; dia` through + &unr_; to manage a household, &unr_; 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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]