/ak"euh luyt'/ , n.
1. an altar attendant in public worship; altar boy.
2. Rom. Cath. Ch.
a. a member of the highest-ranking of the four minor orders.
b. the order itself. Cf. exorcist (def. 2), lector (def. 2), ostiary (def. 1).
3. any attendant, assistant, or follower.
[ 1275-1325; ME acolite acolytus akólouthos follower, attendant, equiv. to a- prefix denoting association + -kolouthos, var. of KÉLEUTHOS road, journey ]