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.

deaconess

/ ˈdiːkənɪs /

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

Gender Note

See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of deaconess¹

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