n.
Pronunciation: ' d ē -k ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English dekene, from Old English d ē acon, from Late Latin diaconus, from Greek diakonos, literally, servant, from dia- + -konos (akin to en konein to be active); perhaps akin to Latin conari to attempt
Date: before 12th century
: 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