acolyte
Americannoun
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an altar attendant in public worship.
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Roman Catholic Church.
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a member of the highest-ranking of the four minor orders.
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the order itself.
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any attendant, assistant, or follower.
noun
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a follower or attendant
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Christianity an officer who attends or assists a priest
Etymology
Origin of acolyte
1275–1325; Middle English acolite < Medieval Latin acolytus < Greek akólouthos follower, attendant, equivalent to a- prefix denoting association + -kolouthos, variant of kéleuthos road, journey
Explanation
A person who helps with religious services is an acolyte. An acolyte is also a fan or follower of the famous, so you can find an acolyte in church or at a concert. Acolyte goes back to the Greek root akolouthos, meaning "follower," and it came into English in the 14th century. While an acolyte often serves in an earned and admired role within a religious ceremony, a second definition is "fan." Acolytes of movie stars or pro athletes closely follow their careers — with great admiration — and would love to be just like their heroes.
Vocabulary lists containing acolyte
The Stranger
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Unbroken
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"The Night Face Up," Vocabulary from the short story
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This year alone Disney+ has pulled Star Wars spin-off The Acolyte after one season, alongside Paramount Plus cancelling Halo and Max pulling Tokyo Vice.
From BBC • Oct. 11, 2024
But in "The Acolyte," the collective weight of Jedi mistakes falls on Osha in one catastrophic moment.
From Salon • Jul. 22, 2024
"Star Wars: The Acolyte" debuts with two episodes Tuesday, June 4 at 6 p.m.
From Salon • Jun. 4, 2024
New details about The Acolyte, an upcoming Disney Plus Star Wars series set during the last days of the High Republic Era, were few and far between during this year’s Star Wars Celebration event.
From The Verge • Jul. 22, 2022
His Imperial Majesty," the Acolyte said, "is pleased at meeting the Prince of India.
From The Prince of India — Volume 01 by Wallace, Lewis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
