noun

1. a cleric ranking just below a priest in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches
2. in some Protestant churches,
   1. a person in training to be a minister
   2. an officer who helps the minister in matters not having to do with worship

Etymology: ME deken < OE deacon < LL(Ec) diaconus, a servant of the church, deacon < Gr diakonos, servant, messenger (in N.T., deacon) < dia- (see dia-) + -konein, to strive < IE base *ken- > L conari, to try, W digon, can

transitive verb

1. ☆ Informal to read (a verse) aloud before it is sung by the congregation: usually with off
2. ☆ Slang
   1. to pack (produce) so that only the best shows
   2. to deal with deceptively