v. t.
☞ The expression is derived from a former custom in the Congregational churches of New England. It was part of the office of a deacon to read aloud the psalm given out, one line at a time, the congregation singing each line as soon as read; -- called, also,
n. [ OE. diakne, deakne, deken, AS. diacon, deacon, L. diaconus, fr. Gr.
n. (Eccl.) A female deacon; as:
n. The state of being a deacon; office of a deacon; deaconship. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. See Deaconship. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The office or ministry of a deacon or deaconess. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
n. The act or process of deactivating. [ PJC ]
v. i. To die; to lose life or force. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
So iron, as soon as it is out of the fire, deadeth straightway. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. To make dead; to deaden; to deprive of life, force, or vigor. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Heaven's stern decree,
With many an ill, hath numbed and deaded me. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]