Deaconess1. (n.) A female deacon
2. (n.) One of an order of women whose duties resembled those of deacons.
3. (n.) A woman set apart for church work by a bishop.
4. (n.) A woman chosen as a helper in church work, as among the Congregationalists.
Thesaurus Entries
Bible clerk, Bible reader, acolytus, adjutant, agent, aid, aide, aide-de-camp, aider, almoner, anagnost, assistant, attendant, auxiliary, beadle, bedral, best man, capitular, capitulary, choir chaplain, churchwarden, clerk, coadjutant, coadjutor, coadjutress, coadjutrix, deacon, deaconess, deputy, diaconus, doorkeeper, elder, elderman, executive officer, exorcist, exorcista, help, helper, helpmate, helpmeet, holy orders, lay elder, lay reader, lector, lecturer, lieutenant, major orders, minor orders, ostiarius, paranymph, paraprofessional, parish clerk, precentor, presbyter, priest, reader, ruling elder, sacrist, sacristan, second, servant, sexton, shames, sideman, sidesman, subdeacon, subdiaconus, succentor, suisse, supporting actor, supporting instrumentalist, teaching elder, thurifer, verger, vergeress