Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Deacon

//ˈdiːkən// name, noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname originating as an occupation.
  2. 2
    A male given name from English. rare

    "And like a mirror image in gestures if not in looks, Steward spit fresh Blue Boy while Deek lit a cigar. However disgusted both were, K.D. knew they would not negotiate a solution that would endanger him or the future of Morgan money. His grandfather had named his twins Deacon and Steward for a reason."

Noun
  1. 1
    A designated minister of charity in the early Church (see Acts 6:1-6).
  2. 2
    a cleric ranking just below a priest in Christian churches; one of the Holy Orders wordnet
  3. 3
    A modern-day member of a church who handles secular and/or administrative duties in a priest's stead, the specifics of which depends on denomination. broadly
  4. 4
    a Protestant layman who assists the minister wordnet
  5. 5
    A clergyman ranked directly below a priest, with duties of helping the priests and carrying out parish work.
Show 7 more definitions
  1. 6
    An ordained clergyperson usually serving a year prior to being ordained presbyter, though in some cases they remain a permanent deacon.
  2. 7
    A lay leader of a congregation who assists the pastor.
  3. 8
    A separate office from that of minister, neither leading to the other; instead there is a permanent deaconate.
  4. 9
    A junior lodge officer.
  5. 10
    The lowest office in the Aaronic priesthood, generally held by 12 or 13 year old boys or recent converts. Mormonism
  6. 11
    A male calf of a dairy breed, so called because they are usually deaconed (see below). US
  7. 12
    The chairman of an incorporated company. Scotland
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
    To kill a calf shortly after birth. US
  3. 3
    To place fresh fruit at the top of a barrel or other container, with spoiled or imperfect fruit hidden beneath. US, slang

    "The blanc mange was lumpy, and the strawberries not as ripe as they looked, having been skilfully 'deaconed'."

  4. 4
    To make sly alterations to the boundaries of (land); to adulterate or doctor (an article to be sold), etc. US, slang

Etymology

Etymology 1

Inherited from Middle English deken, dekne, from Old English diacon, from Ecclesiastical Latin diāconus, from Ancient Greek διᾱ́κονος (diā́konos, “servant, minister”).

Etymology 2

Inherited from Middle English deken, dekne, from Old English diacon, from Ecclesiastical Latin diāconus, from Ancient Greek διᾱ́κονος (diā́konos, “servant, minister”).

Etymology 3

* English occupational surname for someone working in the household of a deacon. * Also as an English surname, variant of Dicken. * As an Irish surname, from Ó Deocáin, "descendant of Deocán."

See also for "deacon"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: deacon