acolyte

American  

[ak-uh-lahyt] / ˈæk əˌlaɪt /

noun

1. an altar attendant in public worship.

2. Roman Catholic Church.

   1. a member of the highest-ranking of the four minor orders.

   2. the order itself.

3. any attendant, assistant, or follower.

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acolyte British  

/ ˈækəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a follower or attendant

2. Christianity an officer who attends or assists a priest

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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

Example Sentences

The options trader known as “Captain Condor” and his acolytes experienced a wipeout last week that incinerated tens of millions of dollars and cost some investors their life savings.

From MarketWatch

Culturally, many are also acolytes of longevity influencers and so-called bio-hackers who are trying to improve their health through supplements, exercise and nutrition, including with methods that remain largely unproven.

From The Wall Street Journal

His intellectual bravado has always attracted disciples and acolytes, notably his cultlike following at Cambridge, where he taught in the 1930s and ’40s.

From The Wall Street Journal

For “One Battle After Another,” Anderson, an acolyte of “The French Connection,” wanted VistaVision for its toothy texture and lush but less-than-clean picture.

From The Wall Street Journal

No stirring during the break after the first movement as members of the local New National Theatre Chorus walked on stage with the ceremonial slow gliding movements of acolytes in a temple.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• follower