deacon

UK: /ˈdiːk^ən/ US: /ˈdikən/ ,(dē′kən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dea•con /ˈdikən/   n. [countable]

1. Religion a member of the Christian clergy below the rank of a priest, or a non-clerical officer having various duties.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dea•con  (dē′kən), n. 

1. Religion (in hierarchical churches) a member of the clerical order next below that of a priest.
2. Religion (in other churches) an appointed or elected officer having variously defined duties.
3. (in Freemasonry) either of two officers in a masonic lodge.

v.t. 

4. to pack (vegetables or fruit) with only the finest pieces or the most attractive sides visible.
5. to falsify (something);
   doctor.
6. to castrate (a pig or other animal).
7. Religion to read aloud (a line of a psalm, hymn, etc.) before singing it.

• Greek diá̄konos servant, minister, deacon, equivalent. to diā- dia- + -konos service
• Late Latin diāconus
• Middle English deken, Old English diacon bef. 900

dea′con•ship′, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

deacon / ˈdiːkən/ noun

1. (in the Roman Catholic and other episcopal churches) an ordained minister ranking immediately below a priest
2. (in Protestant churches) a lay official appointed or elected to assist the minister, esp in secular affairs

Etymology: Old English, ultimately from Greek diakonos servant

ˈdeaconˌship noun