deacons

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.