—n.
1 (in Episcopal churches) a minister of the third order, below bishop and priest.
2 (in Nonconformist churches) a lay officer attending to a congregation's secular affairs.
3 (in the early Church) an appointed minister of charity.
—v.tr. appoint or ordain as a deacon.
Derivatives:
deaconate n. deaconship n.
Etymology: OE diacon f. eccl.L diaconus f. Gk diakonos servant
Useful english dictionary. 2012.