n. & v.
n. 1 (in Episcopal churches) a minister of the third order, below bishop and priest. 2 (in Nonconformist churches) a lay officer attending to a congregation's secular affairs. 3 (in the early Church) an appointed minister of charity.
v.tr. appoint or ordain as a deacon. deaconate n. deaconship n.
[ OE diacon f. eccl.L diaconus f. Gk diakonos servant ]