[ahrch-dee-kuh
n] 
| 1. | an ecclesiastic, ranking next below a bishop and having charge of the temporal and external administration of a diocese, with jurisdiction delegated from the bishop. |
| 2. | Roman Catholic Church. a title of honor conferred only on a member of a cathedral chapter. |
| arch·dea·con (ärch-dē'kən) n. A church official, as in the Anglican Church, who is in charge of temporal and other affairs in a diocese, with powers delegated from the bishop. [Middle English archedeken, from Old English arcediakon, from Late Latin archidiāconus, from Late Greek arkhidiākonos : Greek arkhi-, archi- + Greek diākonos, deacon.] arch·dea'con·ate (-kə-nĭt) n., arch·dea'con·ship' n. |
konos.