Diaconate

Full definition of diaconate

Noun

1. The rank of a deacon.
2. Deacons considered as a group.
3. A body or board of deacons.
4. The period of office of a deacon.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 7, “… This is Mr. Churchill, who, as you are aware, is good enough to come to us for his diaconate, and, as we hope, for much longer; and being a gentleman of independent means, he declines to take any payment.” Saying this Walden rubbed his hands together and smiled contentedly.