suffragan
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ˈsʌfrəɡən/
KK: /ˈsʌfrəgən/
adjective
Definition
Relating to a bishop who is subordinate to a metropolitan or archbishop.
Example
The suffragan bishop attended the conference to discuss regional church matters.
Conversation
Did you know that the bishop in our town is a suffragan bishop?
Really? I didn't know we had one here.
Yeah, it’s interesting because he plays a supporting role to the main bishop.
That makes sense! It’s cool to learn about the different church positions.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
subordinate
auxiliary
secondary
Antonyms
primary
main
chief
noun
Definition
A type of bishop who assists another bishop in a diocese, usually without having full authority or jurisdiction.
Example
The suffragan bishop played a crucial role in supporting the diocesan bishop during the annual conference.
Conversation
Did you know that the church recently appointed a new suffragan bishop?
Really? I didn't even know that was a position in the church.
Yeah, they usually assist the main bishop with various duties.
Root Explanation
Suffragan → It is formed from "suffragare" (meaning to support or assist) and the suffix "-an" (indicating belonging or relating to). The word "suffragan" refers to a bishop who assists a higher-ranking bishop, thus relating to the idea of support in a religious context.
Memory Tip
Think of a bishop who is there to 'support' ('suffragare') another bishop, which helps you remember that a suffragan is an assisting bishop.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.