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deaconess

[dee-kuh-nis]
noun
  1. (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.
  2. a woman elected by a church to assist the clergy.

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for deaconess

Historical Examples of deaconess

  • The field of work of the deaconess in modern times is a large one.

    Deaconesses in Europe

    Jane M. Bancroft

  • The deaconess institutions have the good features, but have avoided the ill.

    Deaconesses in Europe

    Jane M. Bancroft

  • Adjoining the hall, at the west end, was built the deaconess house.

    Deaconesses in Europe

    Jane M. Bancroft

  • In marked contrast to Dettelsau is the deaconess house at Berne.

    Deaconesses in Europe

    Jane M. Bancroft

  • The deaconess home has also branches of work in different parts of France.

    Deaconesses in Europe

    Jane M. Bancroft

British Dictionary definitions for deaconess

deaconess

noun
  1. 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