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.
Derivatives:
deaconate n. deaconship n.
Etymology: OE diacon f. eccl.L diaconus f. Gk diakonos servant