A prefix from Latin de down, from, away; as in debark, decline, decease, deduct, decamp. In words from the French it is equivalent to Latin dis- apart, away; or sometimes to de. Cf. Dis-. It is negative and opposite in derange, deform, destroy, etc. It is intensive in deprave, despoil, declare, desolate, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. to sell or otherwise give up ownership; -- used mostly of artworks in museums.
n. [ OE. diakne, deakne, deken, AS. diacon, deacon, L. diaconus, fr. Gr.
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. (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.