deaconess

[ dee-kuh-nis ]

noun

1. (in certain Protestant churches) a woman belonging to an order or sisterhood dedicated to the care of the sick or poor or who is engaging in other social-service duties, as teaching or missionary work.
2. a woman elected by a church to assist the clergy.

deaconess

/ ˈdiːkənɪs /

noun

1. Christianity (in the early church and in some modern Churches) a female member of the laity with duties similar to those of a deacon

Gender Note

See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of deaconess¹

1530–40; earlier deaconisse, part translation, part adoption of Late Latin diāconissa, feminine of diāconus deacon; -ess

Example Sentences

Colts grew horses, beards turned gray, Deacon and deaconess dropped away, Children and grandchildren—where were they!

From Project Gutenberg

Still later the superintendent told me that she was a deaconess in New York, and was doing a great work.

From Project Gutenberg

"There he is," said the deaconess, pointing to an enormously tall man standing in the darkest and remotest corner of the hall.

From Project Gutenberg

The deaconess rose, pressed a kiss on the eyes of the dead youth, promised Eusebius that she would do her best and went away.

From Project Gutenberg

She would have joined a Deaconess' Institution but she did not care to leave her father.

From Project Gutenberg