Episcopal see
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An episcopal see, in the strictest sense, is the cathedra (throne) of a bishop. The term comes from the Latin word sedem, meaning seat, and the Greek word επισκοπος, meaning bishop. The terms diocesan see and archdiocesan see carry the same meaning, but specify the status of the jurisdiction within the church hierarchy.
By extension, the term is also used to refer to the cathedral of the bishop and to refer to to the town or city where the cathedral stands. For example, in the strictest sense, in the Roman Catholic Church, the see of the Archdiocese of Westminster in England is in Westminster Cathedral, but in a wider sense the same see is London, where the cathedral is located. At times the term is even used about the whole of the diocese even if it covers more than one town or city; this is erroneous, as the terms diocese or archdiocese cover this meaning in a more precise way.
The term can also refer to the office of the bishop, as in Holy See, which in the Roman Catholic Church refers to both the cathedra of the diocese of Rome and also the papal office or to the Vatican in general.
Usage of the term is most common in the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican/Episcopal churches, but is also used by some Lutheran churches. It is also found translated into several languages.