deacon

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. An ordained clergyperson usually serving a year prior to being ordained presbyter, though in some cases they remain a permanent deacon.
4. A lay leader of a congregation who assists the pastor.
5. A separate office from that of minister, neither leading to the other; instead there is a permanent deaconate.
6. A junior lodge officer.
7. The lowest office in the Aaronic priesthood, generally held by 12 or 13 year old boys or recent converts.
8. A male calf of a dairy breed, so called because they are usually deaconed (see below). (US)

Plural deacons