1
- (in Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox Churches) an ordained minister of an order ranking below that of priest (now, except in the Orthodox Church, typically in training for the priesthood)（天主教的）助祭; （英国国教的）会吏; （东正教的）辅祭。
1.1
- (in some Protestant Churches) a lay officer appointed to assist a minister, especially in secular affairs（一些新教教会中的）执事。
1.2
- historical (in the early Church) an appointed minister of charity〈史〉（早期教会的）慈善执事。
派生词
deaconship
noun词源
Old English diacon, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek diakonos 'servant' （in ecclesiastical Greek 'Christian minister'）.