I. ˈdēkən sometimes -k ə ŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English dekne, dekene, from Old English dīacon, dēacon, from Late Latin diaconus, from Greek diakonos diēkonos, literally, servant, from dia-, diē- (alteration of dia- ) + -konos (akin to Greek en konein to be active in service); akin to Latin conari to attempt — more at dia-
1. : a subordinate officer in a Christian church: as
a. Roman Catholicism
(1) : a cleric in major orders ranking above a subdeacon and below a priest and having as a principal function close assistance of the celebrant at solemn High Mass and other solemn services
(2) : one serving as a deacon at solemn High Mass or other solemn services
b. Anglicanism : one in orders next below that of priest and now usually a candidate for ordination to the priesthood
c. Congregationalism : a layman having some duties similar to those of a ruling elder in Presbyterian churches
d. Lutheranism
(1) : a layman in an office subordinate to that of pastor and elder
(2) : an assistant minister of a church in which there are several ministers
e. Mormonism : one ordained to the lowest grade of the Aaronic priesthood who serves as assistant to the teacher
2. Scotland
a. : the president of an incorporated trade or craft
b. : a proficient workman : master
3. : one of two officers in a Masonic lodge
senior deacon
junior deacon
4. : a young calf especially when too young for veal ; also : the hide from such a calf
II. transitive verb
( deaconed ; deaconed ; deaconing -k(ə)niŋ ; deacons )
1.
[so called from the former custom in New England Congregational churches of a deacon's reading aloud each line of a hymn before it was sung by the congregation]
: to read aloud each line of before singing (a psalm or hymn)
2. : to practice sly deception with usually short of illegality
3.
a. : to pack (fruit or vegetables) with the finest specimens on top
b. : to alter the boundaries of (land)
c. : to adulterate or doctor (an article to be sold)
4. : to kill (a calf) at or very soon after birth