archdeacon

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

archdeacon
    n 1: (Anglican Church) an ecclesiastical dignitary usually
         ranking just below a bishop

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Archdeacon \Arch`dea"con\, n. [AS. arcediacon, archidiacon, L.
   archidiaconus, fr. Gr. ?. See {Arch-}, pref., and {Deacon}.]
   In England, an ecclesiastical dignitary, next in rank below a
   bishop, whom he assists, and by whom he is appointed, though
   with independent authority. --Blackstone.
   [1913 Webster]