Definition of "deacon" in Anglais

noun

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

2. (Christianity, by extension) 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.

3. (Catholicism, Lutheranism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, Church of the East) A clergyman ranked directly below a priest, with duties of helping the priests and carrying out parish work.

4. (Anglicanism) An ordained clergyperson usually serving a year prior to being ordained presbyter, though in some cases they remain a permanent deacon.

5. (Evangelicalism) A lay leader of a congregation who assists the pastor.

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

7. (Freemasonry) A junior lodge officer.

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

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

10. (Scotland) The chairman of an incorporated company.

verb

1. (Christianity, music) 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. (US, animal husbandry) To kill a calf shortly after birth.

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

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