Di"o*cese (?), n.; pl. Dioceses (#). [OE. diocise, OF. diocise, F. diocése, L. dioecesis, fr. Gr. &?; housekeeping, administration, a province, a diocese, fr. &?; to keep house, manage; dia` through + &?; to manage a household, &?; a house. See Economy.] (Eccl.) The circuit or extent of a bishop's jurisdiction; the district in which a bishop exercises his ecclesiastical authority. [Frequently, but improperly, spelt diocess.]
Di`o*ce"se*ner (?), n. One who belongs to a diocese. [Obs.] Bacon.
Di"o*don (?), n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth: cf. F. diodon.] 1. (Zoöl.) A genus of spinose, plectognath fishes, having the teeth of each jaw united into a single beaklike plate. They are able to inflate the body by taking in air or water, and, hence, are called globefishes, swellfishes, etc. Called also porcupine fishes, and sea hedgehogs.