Definition of: deacon

(dē′kən) noun
1. A lay church officer or subordinate minister.
2. In the Anglican, Greek, and Roman Catholic Churches, a clergyman ranking next below a priest.
3. Any cleric, as a bishop or priest, acting as chief assistant at a high mass; a gospeler.
—v.t. U.S. Colloq.
1. To read aloud a line or two of (a hymn) at a time, as an aid to congregational singing: an office of the deacon when hymn books were scarce.
2. To arrange (garden or orchard produce) for sale with only the best showing.
3. To do dishonestly; alter; adulterate. [OE <L diaconus <Gk. diakonos servant, minister]
—dea′con·ry, dea′con·ship noun