| 释义 |
deaconess|ˈdiːkənɪs|
Forms: 6 decon-, diacon-, 6–7 deaconisse, 7 diacon-, deaconness, 8– deaconess.
[f. deacon + -ess, formed after med.L. diāconissa, fem. of diāconus: cf. F. diaconisse (14–18th c.), now usually diaconesse.]
1. Eccl.
a. The name of an order of women in the early church, ‘who appear to have undertaken duties in reference to their own sex analogous to those performed by the deacons among men’ (Dict. Chr. Antiq.).
b. Also, in some modern churches, of an order of women having functions parallel to those of the deacons in the same, or intermediate between these and those of the women in sense 2.
a1536Tindale Wks. 250 (R.) Phebe the deaconisse of the church of Cenchris. 1561T. Norton Calvin's Inst. iv. 89 There were created deaconisses, not to delite God with singing and wyth mumbling not vnderstanded..but that they should execute publike ministration towarde the poore. 1685Baxter Paraphr. N.T. 1 Tim. iii. 11 The Deaconnesses that then were appointed to some Care of Women, which Men were less fit for. 1709J. Johnson Clergym. Vade M. ii. 100 The office of Deaconesses was..especially to attend women in the Baptistery, undressing and dressing them again. 1847W. Maskell Mon. Rit. III. p. xcv. note, The deaconesses of the primitive ages..their functions being..limited to the performance of mere secular duties, such as visiting the sick, and catechizing women. 1885Catholic Dict. s.v., [Deaconesses] were employed in assisting at the baptism of women..In the tenth century the office was extinct in the West..At Constantinople the office survived till 1190.
1617F. Johnson Plea xx. 317 To the Elders..that rule the Church; and to the Deacons and Deaconesses that serve and minister therein. a1657W. Bradford New Eng. Mem. 355 They had..one ancient widow for a deaconess..She usually sat..in the congregation with a little birchen rod in her hand, and kept little children in great awe from disturbing the congregation. She did frequently visit the sick and weak, and especially women. 1892Bk. Ch. of Scotl. 33 Women who being able to make Christian work the chief object of their lives..having passed throught two years' training and service in connection with our Homes in Edinburgh or Glasgow, may apply to be set apart as Deaconesses by their kirk-sessions and presbyteries, and will then..be expected to go to any part of Scotland where they may be required, there to work under the supervision of minister and kirk-session. 1893British Weekly 30 Nov. 88/2 Miss Hargreave was a deaconess of Carr's Lane Church, and has been of great service in many ways.
2. The name taken by certain Protestant orders of women with aims similar to those of Sisters of Mercy.
1867M. E. Herbert Cradle L. iii. 102 The Kaiserswerth Deaconesses..have a school, hospital, and dispensary near the English Protestant Church. 1871Daily News 4 Nov., The Deaconesses' Institute prides itself upon being ‘evangelically Protestant’. 1890Whitaker's Almanack 276 General Hospitals—(No. 7) Deaconesses' Institution and Training Hospital, Tottenham.
3. nonce-use. A deacon's wife.
1858O. W. Holmes Aut. Breakf. -t. (1883) 221 Deacon and deaconess dropped away.
4. Comb.
1884Pall Mall G. 10 Sept. 2/1 A deaconess-house was opened. 1893Ch. Times 27 Jan. 81/1 The deaconess-widows, and the widows of the higher clergy. |