DEACON


Meaning of DEACON in English

[ 'di:k(ə)n ]

■ noun

1》 (in Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox Churches) an ordained minister of an order ranking below that of priest.

↘(in some Protestant Churches) a lay officer assisting a minister.

2》 (in the early Church) an appointed minister of charity.

■ verb appoint or ordain as a ~.

Derivatives

~ship noun

Origin

OE diacon , via eccles. L. from Gk diakonos 'servant' (in eccles. Gk 'Christian minister').

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.