deacon /ˈdiːkən/noun 10verb 5forms 3 noun10 •A designated minister of charity in the early Church (see Acts 6:1-6). •A modern-day member of a church who handles secular and/or administrative duties in a priest's stead, the specifics of which depends on denomination. •A clergyman ranked directly below a priest, with duties of helping the priests and carrying out parish work. •An ordained clergyperson usually serving a year prior to being ordained presbyter, though in some cases they remain a permanent deacon. •A lay leader of a congregation who assists the pastor. •A separate office from that of minister, neither leading to the other; instead there is a permanent deaconate. •The lowest office in the Aaronic priesthood, generally held by 12 or 13 year old boys or recent converts. •A junior lodge officer. •(Scotland) The chairman of an incorporated company. •(US) A male calf of a dairy breed, so called because they are usually deaconed (see below). verb5 •To ordain to the diaconate.He was deaconed on the 23rd May, and priested on the 29th September, 1624, by John, Bishop of Sodar and Man. — 1869 •For a choir leader to lead a hymn by speaking one or two lines at a time, which are then sung by the choir. •(US, slang) To place fresh fruit at the top of a barrel or other container, with spoiled or imperfect fruit hidden beneath.The blanc mange was lumpy, and the strawberries not as ripe as they looked, having been skilfully 'deaconed'. — 1868 •(US, slang) To make sly alterations to the boundaries of (land); to adulterate or doctor (an article to be sold), etc. •(US) To kill a calf shortly after birth. formsdeaconed · deaconing · deacons