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subdeacon

American  
[suhb-dee-kuhn, suhb-dee-] / sʌbˈdi kən, ˈsʌbˌdi- /

noun

  1. a member of the clerical order next below that of deacon.


subdeacon British  
/ sʌbˈdiːkənɪt, ˌsʌbˈdiːkən /

noun

  1. a cleric who assists at High Mass

  2. (formerly) a person ordained to the lowest of the major orders

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of subdeacon

1275–1325; Middle English subdecon, -dekene < Late Latin subdiāconus. See sub-, 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.

See Examples For:

His remarks to Nettavisen were jarring to many, who found them sharply contrasting with Gushchin’s position as a subdeacon in the Russian Orthodox Church.

From Seattle Times Apr. 14, 2022

Then, in 1478, he was appointed as a subdeacon, a post two orders lower than a priest, likely in Durham, a city in the north of England.

From Time Aug. 2, 2016

The Gospel was held by the subdeacon, with two taper bearers on either hand, and was read by the deacon, first on one side of the altar and then on the other.

From Time Magazine Archive

A subdeacon brought only one large book, explaining that the lectors kept the rest.

From Time Magazine Archive

Padre Salvi, in spite of his gravity, wore a look of deep satisfaction, since there were serving him as deacon and subdeacon none less than two Augustinians.

From The Social Cancer by Derbyshire, Charles E.

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