suffragan
noun
- a bishop appointed to assist the bishop of a diocese
- any bishop in his capacity as a subordinate to his archbishop
adjective
- designating or of such a bishop
- subordinate to a larger see
See suffragan in American Heritage Dictionary 4
suf·fra·gan
noun Abbr. Suff. or
Suffr.- A bishop elected or appointed as an assistant to the bishop or ordinary of a diocese, having administrative and episcopal responsibilities but no jurisdictional functions.
- A bishop regarded in position as subordinate to an archbishop or a metropolitan.
adjective Of, being, or relating to a suffragan.
Origin: Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin suffrāgāneus, voting, supporting, from Latin suffrāgium, support, right to vote, from suffrāgārī, to express support; see bhreg- in Indo-European roots.
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