archdeacon

Etymology

From Middle English arcedekne, archdecon, archdekne, archdekyn, archedeken, archedekyn, archedyacun, archideken, archidiacon, ardekne, ercedekene, ercedekne, erchdekene, erchedekene, erchedekne, erresdeken, ersedekne, ersedekyn, from Old English ærcedæcne, ærcediæcne, earcedæcne (from Late Latin archidiāconus) and Old French arc(h)ediacne.

noun

A senior administrative official in a diocese, just under the bishop, often in charge of an archdeaconry. As a title, it can be filled by either a deacon or priest.