Webster's English Dictionary

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diocese

di.o.cese \'di--*-s*s, -.se-z, -.se-s\ \-s*-s*z, -.se--z*z, -.se--s*z, 
   -*-.se-z\ n or di.o.ceses [ME diocise, fr. MF, fr. LL diocesis, alter. of 
   dioecesis, fr] pl . L, administrative division, fr. Gk dioike-sis 
   administration, administrative division, fr. dioikein to keep house, 
   govern, fr. dia- + oikein to dwell, manage, fr. oikos house - more at 
   VICINITY : the territorial jurisdiction of a bishop