deaconess

[ dee-kuh-nis ]

/ ˈdi kə nɪs /

noun

(in certain Protestant churches) a woman belonging to an order or sisterhood dedicated to the care of the sick or poor or who is engaging in other social-service duties, as teaching or missionary work.

a woman elected by a church to assist the clergy.

Nearby words

deaccession, deacetylate, deacidify, deacon, deacon seat, deaconess, deaconry, deactivate, deacylase, dead, dead ahead

Origin of deaconess

1530–40; earlier deaconisse, part translation, part adoption of Late Latin diāconissa, feminine of diāconus deacon; see -ess

Usage note

See -ess.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for deaconess

On Sunday, December 9, 1888, the first deaconess was set apart to her duties.
Deaconesses in Europe|Jane M. Bancroft
The deaconess led the two girls to a room where there was a large double bed.
A Thorny Path [Per Aspera], Complete|Georg Ebers
At her appointment the deaconess received the imposition of hands, the widow did not.
The Expositor's Bible: The Pastoral Epistles|Alfred Plummer
Colts grew horses, beards turned gray, Deacon and deaconess dropped away, Children and grandchildren—where were they!
The Book of Humorous Verse|Various

But I dont deny its a pleasant party, added the deaconess, looking round on the company in general with some complacency.
Salem Chapel, v.1/2|Mrs. Oliphant

British Dictionary definitions for deaconess

deaconess

/ (ˈdiːkənɪs) /

noun

Christianity (in the early church and in some modern Churches) a female member of the laity with duties similar to those of a deacon

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012