1. [n]  a cleric ranking just below a priest in Roman Catholic churches
2. [n]  a Protestant layman who assists the minister

1. \Dea"con\, n. [OE. diakne, deakne, deken, AS. diacon,
   deacon, L. diaconus, fr. Gr. ? 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.]
   

2. \Dea"con\, v. t.
   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.
   

3. \Dea"con\, v. t.
   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.]
   

Direct English Access and CONtrol. English-like query system. Sammet 1969, p.668.

Anglicized form of the Greek word diaconos, meaning a "runner," "messenger," "servant." For a long period a feeling of mutual jealousy had existed between the "Hebrews," or Jews proper, who spoke the sacred language of palestine, and the "Hellenists," or Jews of the Grecian speech, who had adopted the Grecian language, and read the Septuagint version of the Bible instead of the Hebrew. This jealousy early appeared in the Christian community. It was alleged by the Hellenists that their widows were overlooked in the daily distribution of alms. This spirit must be checked. The apostles accordingly advised the disciples to look out for seven men of good report, full of the Holy Ghost, and men of practical wisdom, who should take entire charge of this distribution, leaving them free to devote themselves entirely to the spiritual functions of their office (Acts 6:1-6). This was accordingly done. Seven men were chosen, who appear from their names to have been Hellenists. The name "deacon" is nowhere applied to them in the New Testament; they are simply called "the seven" (21:8). Their office was at first secular, but it afterwards became also spiritual; for among other qualifications they must also be "apt to teach" (1 Tim. 3: 8-12). Both Philip and Stephen, who were of "the seven," preached; they did "the work of evangelists."