Meanings
plural highbishops · alternative high-bishop
- Archbishop.
She was asserting ecclesiastical suzerainty as 'highbishop' much as the Ui Nelll kings of Tara were claiming suzerainty over other provincial kings.
1980, Kathleen Hughes, The church in early Irish society - Page 1123 more examples
The Four Masters call him High-bishop of Connaught, because he was doubtless the most distinguished prelate of his time, for as yet there was no metropolitan See of Tuam.
1902, John Healy, Insula sanctorum et doctorumMaurice, the highbishop mentioned in the charter, was Muireadhach Ua Dubhthaigh who took part in the peace negotiations with Cormac Mac Carthaigh at Abhall Ceitearnaigh in 1134.
1949, Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society - Page 54The Three Tribal Thrones of the Isle of Britain: Arthur as the High Prince in Menevia and Dewi as the High Bishop and Maelgwn Gwynedd as the High Elder; Arthur as the High Prince in Celliwig in Cornwall and Bedwin as the High Bishop and Caradoc Breichbras as the High Elder; [...]
2007, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Michael A. Faletra, The History of the Kings of Britain
Origin
- Old Englishhēahbisċop“archbishop, pontiff; (Jewish) high-priest”
- Middle English*heahbischop
- Englishhighbishop
From Middle English *heahbischop, from Old English hēahbisċop (“archbishop, pontiff; (Jewish) high-priest”), equivalent to high + bishop.
More words from Middle English, Old English
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
highbishop. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/highbishop
“highbishop.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/highbishop. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “highbishop,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/highbishop.
Source: highbishop on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.