See Also: deacon(medicine)
deacon(1)(dictionary)
deacon(2)(dictionary)
deacon(dictionary)
Jones, Deacon(encyclopedia)
DEACON, Eccl(law)

confarreation (iou) and deacon (medicine)


confarreation (iou)



confarreation noun. L16.
[Latin confarreatio(n-), from confarreat- pa. ppl stem of confarreare unite in Marriage by offering bread, formed as CON- + farreum spelt-cake: see -ATION.]
Roman History. The highest and most solemn form of Marriage among the patricians of ancient Rome, made by offering a cake made of spelt in the presence of the Pontifex Maximus or Flamen Dialis and ten witnesses. Cf. DIFFARREATION.

deacon (medicine)


deacon


1. An officer in Christian churches appointed to perform certain subordinate duties varying in different communions. In the Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches, a person admitted to the lowest order in the ministry, subordinate to the bishops and priests. In Presbyterian churches, he is subordinate to the minister and elders, and has charge of certain duties connected with the communion service and the care of the poor. In Congregational churches, he is subordinate to the pastor, and has duties as in the Presbyterian church.

2. The chairman of an incorporated company.

Origin: OE. Diakne, deakne, deken, AS. Diacon, deacon, L. Diaconus, fr. Gr. A servant or minister, a minister of the church; of uncertain origin. In sense 2 prob. Confused with dean.

Source: Websters Dictionary