Archdeacon

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Archdeacon \Arch`dea"con\, n. [AS. arcediacon, archidiacon, L.
     archidiaconus, fr. Gr. ?. See {Arch-}, pref., and {Deacon}.]
     In England, an ecclesiastical dignitary, next in rank below a
     bishop, whom he assists, and by whom he is appointed, though
     with independent authority. --Blackstone.
     [1913 Webster]



From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  archdeacon
       n : (Anglican Church) an ecclesiastical dignitary usually
           ranking just below a bishop