Definitions for Deacon
ˈdi kəndea·con

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. deacon, Protestant deaconnoun

   a Protestant layman who assists the minister

2. deaconnoun

   a cleric ranking just below a priest in Christian churches; one of the Holy Orders

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. deaconnoun

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

2. deaconnoun

   A clergyman ranked directly below a priest, with duties of helping the priests and carrying out parish work.

3. deaconnoun

   A lay leader of a congregation who assists the pastor.

4. deaconnoun

   A junior Lodge officer.

5. deaconnoun

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

6. deaconnoun

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

7. deaconverb

   For a choir leader to lead a hymn by speaking one or two lines at a time, which are then sung by the choir.

8. deaconverb

   To kill a calf shortly after birth.

9. deaconverb

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

10. Etymology: From diacon, from ecclesiastical diaconus, from διάκονος.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. DEACONnoun

   Etymology: diaconus, Latin.

   1. One of the lowest order of the clergy.

   Likewise must the deacons be grave. 2 Tim. iii. 8.

   The constitutions that the apostles made concerning deacons and widows, in those primitive times, are very importunely urged by the disciplinarians. Robert Sanderson, Judgment.

   2. [In Scotland.] An overseer of the poor.3. And also the master of an incorporated company.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Deacon

   A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian churches, such as the Catholic Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Scandinavian Lutheran Churches, the Methodist Churches, the Anglican Communion, and the Free Church of England, view the diaconate as an order of ministry.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Deaconnoun

   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. Deaconnoun

   the chairman of an incorporated company

3. Deaconverb

   to read aloud each line of (a psalm or hymn) before singing it, -- usually with off

4. Etymology: [OE. diakne, deakne, deken, AS. diacon, deacon, L. diaconus, fr. Gr. dia`konos a servant or minister, a minister of the church; of uncertain origin. In sense 2 prob. confused with dean.]

FreebaseRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Deacon

   Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. In many traditions the "diaconate", the term for a deacon's office, is a clerical office; in others it is for laity. The word "deacon" is derived from the Greek word diakonos, which is a standard ancient Greek word meaning "servant", "waiting-man", "minister" or "messenger". One commonly promulgated speculation as to its etymology is that it literally means 'through the dust', referring to the dust raised by the busy servant or messenger. It is generally believed that the office of deacon originated in the selection of seven men, among them Stephen, to assist with the charitable work of the early church as recorded in Acts 6. Female deacons are mentioned by Pliny the Younger in a letter to Trajan dated c. 112. The exact relationship between male and female Deacons varies. In some traditions a female deacon is simply a member of the order of deacons; in others, deaconesses constitute a separate order; in others, the title "deaconess" is given to the wife of a deacon. A biblical description of the qualities required of a deacon, and of their household, can be found in 1 Timothy 3:1-13.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. Deacon

   dē′kn, n. in Episcopal churches, a member of the order of clergy under priests: in some Presbyterian churches, an officer, distinct from the elders, who attends to the secular affairs of the church: in Congregational and some other churches, an officer who advises the pastor, distributes the elements at the Communion, and dispenses charity: in Scotland, the master of an incorporated company:—fem. Dea′coness, a female servant of the Christian society in the time of the apostles: in a convent, a nun who has the care of the altar: one of an order of women in some Protestant churches who nurse the sick and tend the poor.—ns. Dea′conhood, Dea′conry, Dea′conship. [L. diaconus—Gr. diakonos, a servant.]

Surnames Frequency by Census RecordsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. DEACON

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Deacon is ranked #9756 in terms of the most common surnames in America.
   
   The Deacon surname appeared 3,322 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 would have the surname Deacon.
   
   87.9% or 2,920 total occurrences were White.
   4.9% or 164 total occurrences were Black.
   3% or 101 total occurrences were American Indian or Alaskan Native.
   2% or 68 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.
   1.3% or 44 total occurrences were of two or more races.
   0.7% or 25 total occurrences were Asian.

Matched Categories

1. • Holy Order
   • Church Officer
   • Clergyman

Anagrams for Deacon »

1. acnode

2. canoed

How to pronounce Deacon?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Deacon in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Deacon in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Deacon in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of Deacon in a Sentence

1. Deacon Harry Mont:

   In the earlier days I was even a little hesitant Deacon Harry Mont but I had to look around me to understand that people are coming in getting vaccinated.

2. Nashville Mayor John Cooper:

   I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Oprah Winfrey. Oprah Winfrey served on Metro Council for 16 years and dedicated Oprah Winfrey life to entrepreneurship, barbering, and mentoring young men in the community, an Army veteran and deacon, he leaves behind a legacy of service.

3. Barack Obama:

   Michelle and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Representative Alan Nunnelee, a proud son of Tupelo, Alan never wavered in his determination to serve the men and women who placed their trust in him, even as he bravely battled the illness that ultimately took his life. As a Sunday School teacher and a deacon at his church, Alan believed deeply in the power of faith and the strength of American families.

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