archdeacon
Americannoun
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an ecclesiastic, ranking next below a bishop and having charge of the temporal and external administration of a diocese, with jurisdiction delegated from the bishop.
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Roman Catholic Church. a title of honor conferred only on a member of a cathedral chapter.
noun
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an Anglican clergyman ranking just below a bishop and having supervisory duties under the bishop
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a clergyman of similar rank in other Churches
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of archdeacon
before 1000; Middle English archideken, Old English arcediacon < Late Latin archidiāconus < Greek archidiā́konos. See arch- 1, deacon
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.
By the age of 24, Laval was ordained a priest; he was quickly named an archdeacon and eventually a bishop.
From Salon ● Feb. 25, 2023
“In a situation like this, you feel you’re powerless,” said Abiade Lozama, an Anglican archdeacon based in the south of the country, which was hard hit by the quake.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 17, 2021
Mina Smallman, who retired in 2019, was the first woman from a minority ethnic background to hold the title of archdeacon in the Anglican church.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2020
By contrast, Dr. Grantly, the old archdeacon, has limited administrative power but considerable real power, because it is rooted in a set of wide, deeply entrenched clan-family ties.
From The New Yorker ● Apr. 27, 2015
"Well, there is no harm in that, Mr. Bonamy," replied the archdeacon, somewhat offended, "as long as he is back to do the duty to-morrow."
From The New Rector by Stanley John Weyman
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