archdeacon

noun arch·dea·con \ (ˌ)ärch-ˈdē-kən \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of archdeacon

: a clergyman having the duty of assisting a diocesan bishop in ceremonial functions or administrative work

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Recent Examples of archdeacon from the Web

Keith Cartwright, archdeacon of the Diocese of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, officiated.

— New York Times, "Gabriella Gentil, Kyle Hickson," 6 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'archdeacon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of archdeacon

Middle English archedeken, from Old English arcediacon, from Late Latin archidiaconus, from Late Greek archidiakonos, from Greek archi- + diakonos deacon

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined above

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