Etymology

Noun

1. A designated minister of charity in the early Church (see Acts 6:1-6).
2. A clergyman ranked directly below a priest, with duties of helping the priests and carrying out parish work.
3. A lay leader of a congregation who assists the pastor.
4. A junior Lodge officer.
5. The lowest office in the Aaronic priesthood, generally held by 12 or 13 year old boys or recent converts.
6. A male calf of a dairy breed, so called because they are usually deaconed (see below).

Verb

1. 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. To kill a calf shortly after birth.
3. To place fresh fruit at the top of a barrel or other container, with spoiled or imperfect fruit hidden beneath.