acolyte
/ˈakəlʌɪt
/noun
1A person assisting a priest in a religious service or procession.There were scores of acolytes and priests, preparing to begin the ritual....
- With no Sunday school program for the five or so children present, we were invited to be part of the Sunday morning service. I served as an acolyte, a lay reader, and even led liturgical dance.
- Priests, acolytes and choirboys pad round a central tent that represents the holy of holies, the spiritual home of the Ark.
1.1An assistant or follower: she runs the department through a small group of acolytes...
- But he also set an undisputed world record, for the number of aides, acolytes, spongers and hangers-on that he assembled in one place at the same time.
- After a triumphal festival performance in California last month, Smith and co will soon tour with a string of acolytes supporting.
- It is daft only because the politicians, their acolytes and braindead supporters will label it daft.
Synonyms
assistant, helper, attendant, retainer, servant, minion, underling, lackey, henchman;
follower, disciple, supporter, votary, satellite, shadow
informal sidekick, man/girl Friday, running dog, groupie, hanger-on
archaic liegeman, pursuivant
Hinduism chela
rare janissary
North American informal body man
Origin
Middle English: from Old French acolyt or ecclesiastical Latin acolytus, from Greek akolouthos 'follower'.
English acolyte is from ecclesiastical Latin acolytus, from Greek akolouthos ‘follower’.