deacon

noun dea·con \ˈdē-kən\

: an official in some Christian churches whose rank is just below a priest

: a member of some Christian churches who has special duties

Full Definition of DEACON

: a subordinate officer in a Christian church: as

a : a Roman Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Orthodox cleric ranking next below a priest

b : one of the laymen elected by a church with congregational polity to serve in worship, in pastoral care, and on administrative committees

c : a Mormon in the lowest grade of the Aaronic priesthood

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Origin of DEACON

Middle English dekene, from Old English dēacon, from Late Latin diaconus, from Greek diakonos, literally, servant, from dia- + -konos (akin to enkonein to be active); perhaps akin to Latin conari to attempt

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to DEACON

Synonyms: cleric, clerical, clerk, clergyperson, divine, dominie, ecclesiastic, minister, preacher, priest, reverend

Antonyms: layman, layperson, secular

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

Rhymes with DEACON

beacon, sleeken, weaken

DEACON Defined for Kids

deacon

noun dea·con \ˈdē-kən\

Definition of DEACON for Kids

: an official in some Christian churches ranking just below a priest

: a church member in some Christian churches who has special duties

Learn More About DEACON

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "deacon"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "deacon"

Nglish: Translation of "deacon" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "deacon" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "deacon"

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