ˈakəˌlīt, usu -īd.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English acolite, acolyt, from Old French & Medieval Latin; Old French acolite, from Medieval Latin acoluthus, acolythus, acolytus, acolitus, from Middle Greek akolouthos, from Greek, adjective, following, from a- (variant of ha- together) + -kolouthos (akin to keleuthos path); akin to Greek homos same and to Greek kellein to drive — more at same , hold
1.
a. Roman Catholicism : a cleric ordained to the highest of the four minor orders in the Latin Church, his duties being to light and carry candles, prepare the wine and water used at mass, and assist the ministers at mass ; also : one not ordained who performs the duties formerly reserved to an ordained acolyte : altar boy , server
b. : one who assists the celebrant or other officiating ministers in a religious service of any Christian church by the performance of minor duties
2. : one who attends or assists : follower
admiring teen-age acolytes helping him about the depot — Ben Riker