deacon

/ˈdiːkən/

noun

  1. 1

    (Church history) A designated minister of charity in the early Church (see Acts 6:1-6).

  2. 2

    (Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism) A clergyman ranked directly below a priest, with duties of helping the priests and carrying out parish work.

  3. 3

    Free Churches: A lay leader of a congregation who assists the pastor.

  4. 4

    Anglicanism: An ordained clergyman usually serving a year prior to being ordained presbyter, though in some cases they remain a permanent deacon.

  5. 5

    Methodism: A separate office from that of minister, neither leading to the other; instead there is a permanent deaconate.

  6. 6

    A junior lodge officer.

  7. 7

    The lowest office in the Aaronic priesthood, generally held by 12 or 13 year old boys or recent converts.

  8. 8

    (animal husbandry) A male calf of a dairy breed, so called because they are usually deaconed (see below).

  9. 9

    The chairman of an incorporated company.

verb

  1. 1

    For a choir leader to lead a hymn by speaking one or two lines at a time, which are then sung by the choir.

  2. 2

    (animal husbandry) To kill a calf shortly after birth.

  3. 3

    To place fresh fruit at the top of a barrel or other container, with spoiled or imperfect fruit hidden beneath.

  4. 4

    To make sly alterations to the boundaries of (land); to adulterate or doctor (an article to be sold), etc.

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