What is "deacon"

Deacon \Dea"con\ (d[=e]"k'n), v. t.

1. 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.

2. With humorous reference to hypocritical posing: To pack (fruit or vegetables) with the finest specimens on top; to alter slyly the boundaries of (land); to adulterate or doctor (an article to be sold), etc. [Colloq., U. S.]

Deacon \Dea"con\ (d[=e]"k'n), n. [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.]

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.]

Old English deacon, diacon, from Late Latin diaconus, from Greek diakonos "servant of the church, religious official," literally "servant," from dia- "thoroughly" + PIE *kon-o-, from root *ken- (1) "to set oneself in motion."

n. 1 (context Church history English) A designated minister of charity in the early Church (see Acts 6:1-6). 2 (context Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism English) A clergyman ranked directly below a priest, with duties of helping the priests and carrying out parish work. 3 (context Protestantism English) ''Free Churches'': A lay leader of a congregation who assists the pastor. 4 (context Protestantism English) ''Anglicanism'': An ordained clergyman usually serving a year prior to being ordained presbyter, though in some cases they remain a permanent deacon. 5 (context Protestantism English) ''Methodism'': A separate office from that of minister, neither leading to the other; instead there is a permanent deaconate. 6 (context freemasonry English) A junior lodge officer. 7 (context Mormonism English) The lowest office in the (w: Aaronic priesthood), generally held by 12 or 13 year old boys or recent converts. 8 (context US animal husbandry English) A male calf of a dairy breed, so called because they are usually #Verbed (see below). 9 (context Scotland English) The chairman of an incorporated company. vb. 1 (context Christianity music English) For a choir leader to lead a hymn by speaking one or two lines at a time, which are then sung by the choir. 2 (context US animal husbandry English) To kill a calf shortly after birth. 3 (context US slang English) To place fresh fruit at the top of a barrel or other container, with spoiled or imperfect fruit hidden beneath.

1. n. a Protestant layman who assists the minister [syn: Protestant deacon]

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

Deacon is a priesthood office in the Aaronic priesthood of denominations within the Latter Day Saint movement, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Deacon is the designation of an American sounding rocket. The Deacon was launched 90 times from 1947 to 1957 from Wallops Island. The Deacon has a maximum flight height of 20 kilometers and a pay load ability of 17 kilograms. The takeoff thrust of the Deacon amounts to 27 kN, the takeoff weight 93 kg, the diameter 0.16 m and the length 3.28 m.

The AEC Mk I Gun Carrier, known as Deacon, was a British armoured fighting vehicle of the Second World War. It was an attempt to make the QF 6 pounder anti-tank gun into a self-propelled artillery piece. It was employed only during the North African Campaign from 1942–1943.

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.

Deacon may also refer to:

The Deacon is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is a zealot who believes he is doing the work of God. He has been blessed with powers and weapons from Heaven. His sole weakness is that he will not destroy any holy object such as the Bible.

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" (or deaconate), 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 diákonos (διάκονος), 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. The title "deaconess" (διακόνισσα) is not found in the Bible. However, a woman, Phoebe, is mentioned at Romans 16:1–2 as a deacon (diakonos) of the church in Cenchreae. Nothing more specific is said about her duties or authority. It is generally believed that the office of deacon originated in the selection of seven men by the apostles, among them Stephen, to assist with the charitable work of the early church as recorded in . Female deacons are mentioned by Pliny the Younger in a letter to Trajan dated c. A.D. 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" was also given to the wife of a deacon.

A biblical description of the qualities required of a deacon, and of his household, can be found in .

Among the more prominent deacons in history are Stephen, the first Christian martyr (the "protomartyr"); Philip, whose baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch is recounted in ; Saint Lawrence, an early Roman martyr; Saint Vincent of Saragossa, protomartyr of Spain; Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the mendicant Franciscans; Saint Ephrem the Syrian and Saint Romanos the Melodist, a prominent early hymnographer. Prominent historical figures who played major roles as deacons and went on to higher office include Saint Athanasius of Alexandria, Thomas Becket and Reginald Pole. On June 8, A.D. 536 a serving Roman deacon was raised to Pope, Silverius. His father, Pope Agapetus, had died and the office had been vacant for over a month.

The title is also used for the president, chairperson, or head of a trades guild in Scotland; and likewise to two officers of a Masonic lodge.

Deacon is both a surname and a given name. Notable people with the name include:

Surname:

• Bernard Deacon, academic based at the Institute of Cornish Studies of the University of Exeter
• Bert Deacon (1922–1974), Australian rules footballer
• Brett Deacon (born 1982), English rugby union player
• Bruce Deacon (born 1966), Canadian retired long-distance runner
• Dan Deacon (born 1981), American musician
• Donald Deacon (1920–2003), Canadian politician and businessman
• George Deacon (1906–1984), British oceanographer and chemist
• George Deacon (civil engineer) (1843–1909), English civil engineer, particularly involving water
• Giles Deacon (born 1969), British fashion designer
• Gill Deacon, Canadian actress
• Henry Deacon (industrialist) (1822–1876), chemist and industrialist
• Hilary Deacon (1936–2010), South African archaeologist
• Joey Deacon (1920–1981), author who suffered from cerebral palsy
• John Deacon, bassist for the rock band Queen
• Louis Deacon (born 1980), professional rugby union footballer
• Paul Deacon (born 1979), former professional rugby league player
• Richard Deacon (actor), American actor, best known as Mel Cooley on The Dick Van Dyke Show and Fred Rutherford on Leave It to Beaver
• Richard Deacon (sculptor), British sculptor
• Russell Deacon (academic), Professor
• Sharon Deacon (born 1957), Australian basketball player
• Susan Deacon (born 1964), Scottish politician, academic, commentator and former Scottish cabinet minister
• Terrence Deacon (born 1950), American anthropologist
• Thomas Deacon (disambiguation), various people named either Thomas or Tom Deacon

Given name:

• Deacon Manu (born 1979), New Zealand-born Fijian rugby union footballer
• Deacon John Moore (born 1941), American blues, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll musician, singer, and bandleader