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bitesheep. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
bitesheep, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
bitesheep in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Etymology
From bite + sheep. Possibly an intentional, satirical corruption of, or pun on, bishop, to imply one who bites the flock he should be protecting (compare English sheep-biter).
Pronunciation
Noun
bitesheep (plural bitesheeps)
- (obsolete, derogatory, dysphemistic, religious slur) A bishop, particularly a Catholic bishop persecuting Protestants.
c. 1556, John Foxe, “A Letter of John Careless, answering to the loving Epistle or Letter sent to him before by Master John Philpot”, in Rev. Stephen Reed Cattley, editor, The Acts and Monuments of John Foxe, volume 8, London: R. B. Seeley and W. Burnside, published 1839, page 172:Wherefore mine advice and most earnest desire is, with all other of your loving friends, that you still keep that order with those bloodthirsty bitesheeps (bishops, I should say) that you have begun. For though in conclusion they will surely have your blood, yet shall they come by it with shame enough, and to their perpetual infamy while the world doth endure.
1578 December 15, A. Dolm, ; republished in “Diarium Secundum”, in The First and Second Diaries of the English College, Douay, London: David Nutt, 1878, Februarius 1579, page 149:Wherfore the bitesheepe and the recorder beinge owtragiously moved agaynst him, contrary to all justice all Law thy condemned him to bee whipped at a Carts tayle and to bee boored through the eare wth a hot iron, wch was executed in most dispitful and cruellest manner that might bee executed to any Rooge, […]