deacon
UK: ˈdiːkən | US: ˈdiːkən
n. a cleric ranking just below a priest in Christian churches (e.g., Anglican, Eastern Orthodox)
n. a layperson assisting in church services or charitable work
vt. to appoint or serve as a deacon
deacon = deac<servant> + on<noun suffix>
- deac (from Greek diakonos via Old English diacon, meaning "servant" or "messenger")
- on (a nominal suffix in Old English, often indicating a person or role)
Etymology Origin:
The word "deacon" traces back to Greek diakonos (διάκονος), meaning "servant" or "minister," reflecting the role's original function in early Christian communities. Borrowed into Late Latin as diaconus, it entered Old English as diacon, later simplified to "deacon." The morpheme deac- preserves the core idea of service, while -on solidifies it as a title. Over time, the term narrowed to denote a specific clerical rank.
The deacon delivered the sermon in the priest’s absence.
She was ordained as a deacon in the Episcopal Church last year.
His duties as a deacon included visiting the sick and distributing alms.
The role of a deacon varies significantly across Christian denominations.
He deaconed at the local parish while studying theology.