Thesaurus: deacon

Related headwords

Definitions

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. n. The chairman of an incorporated company.
3. v. t. To read aloud each line of (a psalm or hymn) before singing it, -- usually with off.
4. n. a Protestant layman who assists the minister
5. n. a cleric ranking just below a priest in Christian churches; one of the Holy Orders
6. 1. (Eccl.) 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. [Scot.] To read aloud each line of (a psalm or hymn) before singing it, -- usually with off. [Colloq. New. Eng.] See Line, v. t. Note: The expression is derived from a former custom in the Congregational churches of New England. It was part of the office of a deacon to read aloud the psalm given out, one line at a time, the congregation singing each line as soon as read; -- called, also, lining out the psalm.
7. An officer in Christian churches appointed to perform certainsubordinate duties varying in different communions. In the RomanCatholic and Episcopal churches, a person admitted to the lowestorder in the ministry, subordinate to the bishops and priests. InPresbyterian churches, he is subordinate to the minister and elders,and has charge of certain duties connected with the communion serviceand the care of the poor. In Congregational churches, he issubordinate to the pastor, and has duties as in the Presbyterianchurch.
8. n:100 n. a Protestant layman who assists the minister n. a cleric ranking just below a priest in Christian churches; one of the Holy Orders