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.]
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