A.servant, Hdt. 4.71,72, PFlor.121.3 (iii A.D.), etc.; messenger, A.Pr.942, S.Ph. 497; “ὄρνιθα καὶ κήρυκα καὶ δ.” Id.Fr.133:—as fem., Ar.Ec.1116, D. 24.197.
2. attendant or official in a temple or religious guild, Inscr.Magn.109,217, IG9(1).486 (Acarnania, ii/i B.C.), 4.774.12 (Troezen, iii B.C.): fem., CIG3037 (Metropolis in Lydia):—esp. in the Christian church, deacon, 1 Ep.Ti.3.8, etc., POxy.1162.3 (iv A.D.): fem., deaconess, Ep.Rom.16.1.
II. as Adj., servile, menial, “ἐπιστήμη” Pl.Plt.290c: irreg. Comp. “δια_κονέστερος” Epich.159Ahr. (Cf. ἐγ-κονέω, ἀ-κονιτί.)