subdeacon
sub.dea.con \-'de--k*n\ \.s*b-(.)di--'ak-*n-*l\ \-'ak-*-n*t\ n [ME subdecon, fr. LL subdiaconus, fr. L sub- + LL diaconus] deacon : a cleric ranking below a deacon : as : a candidate for the Roman Catholic priesthood admitted to the lowest of the major orders and acting as an officer at high mass : a deacon or priest performing the liturgical duties of a subdeacon - sub.di.ac.o.nal aj