Lexic.us

Definition of Deacon

1. Noun. A Protestant layman who assists the minister.

2. Noun. A cleric ranking just below a priest in Christian churches; one of the Holy Orders.

Definition of Deacon

1. n. An officer in Christian churches appointed to perform certain subordinate duties varying in different communions. In the Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches, a person admitted to the lowest order in the ministry, subordinate to the bishops and priests. In Presbyterian churches, he is subordinate to the minister and elders, and has charge of certain duties connected with the communion service and the care of the poor. In Congregational churches, he is subordinate to the pastor, and has duties as in the Presbyterian church.

2. v. t. To read aloud each line of (a psalm or hymn) before singing it, -- usually with off.

3. v. t. With humorous reference to hypocritical posing: To pack (fruit or vegetables) with the finest specimens on top; to alter slyly the boundaries of (land); to adulterate or doctor (an article to be sold), etc.

Definition of Deacon

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

2. Noun. (Roman Catholicism) A clergyman ranked directly below a priest, with duties of helping the priests and carrying out parish work. ¹

3. Noun. (Protestantism) A lay leader of a congregation who assists the pastor. ¹

4. Noun. (freemasonry) A junior Lodge officer. ¹

5. Noun. (Mormonism) The lowest office in the Aaronic priesthood, generally held by 12 or 13 year old boys or recent converts. ¹

6. Noun. (US animal husbandry) A male calf of a dairy breed, so called because they are usually deaconed (see below). ¹

7. Verb. (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. ¹

8. Verb. (US animal husbandry) To kill a calf shortly after birth. ¹

9. Verb. (American English) To place fresh fruit at the top of a barrel or other container, with spoiled or imperfect fruit hidden beneath. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Deacon

1. to read a hymn aloud [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Deacon

1. 1. An officer in Christian churches appointed to perform certain subordinate duties varying in different communions. In the Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches, a person admitted to the lowest order in the ministry, subordinate to the bishops and priests. In Presbyterian churches, he is subordinate to the minister and elders, and has charge of certain duties connected with the communion service and the care of the poor. In Congregational churches, he is subordinate to the pastor, and has duties as in the Presbyterian church. 2. The chairman of an incorporated company. Origin: OE. Diakne, deakne, deken, AS. Diacon, deacon, L. Diaconus, fr. Gr. A servant or minister, a minister of the church; of uncertain origin. In sense 2 prob. Confused with dean. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Deacon

deacetylase deacetylases deacetylate deacetylated deacetylates deacetylating deacetylation deacetylations deacetyltransferase deacidification

deacidifications deacidified deacidifies deacidify deacidifying deacon (current term) deaconed deaconess deaconess-house deaconesses

deaconhood deaconing deaconries deaconry deacons deaconship deaconships deacquisition deacquisitions deactivate

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