Definition of "deacon"

(Church history) A designated minister of charity in the early Church (see Acts 6:1-6).

(Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism) A clergyman ranked directly below a priest, with duties of helping the priests and carrying out parish work.  examples

(Protestantism) Free Churches: A lay leader of a congregation who assists the pastor.  examples

(Protestantism) Anglicanism: An ordained clergyman usually serving a year prior to being ordained presbyter, though in some cases they remain a permanent deacon.  examples

(Protestantism) Methodism: A separate office from that of minister, neither leading to the other; instead there is a permanent deaconate.  examples

(Freemasonry) A junior lodge officer.  examples

(Mormonism) The lowest office in the Aaronic priesthood, generally held by 12 or 13 year old boys or recent converts.  examples

(US, animal husbandry) A male calf of a dairy breed, so called because they are usually deaconed (see below).  examples

(Scotland) The chairman of an incorporated company.  examples

(Christianity, music) For a choir leader to lead a hymn by speaking one or two lines at a time, which are then sung by the choir.  examples

(US, animal husbandry) To kill a calf shortly after birth.  examples

(US, slang) To place fresh fruit at the top of a barrel or other container, with spoiled or imperfect fruit hidden beneath.  quotations

(US, slang) To make sly alterations to the boundaries of (land); to adulterate or doctor (an article to be sold), etc.