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an ecclesiastic, ranking next below a bishop and having charge of the temporal and external administration of a diocese, with jurisdiction delegated from the bishop.
Roman Catholic Church. a title of honor conferred only on a member of a cathedral chapter.
Contemporary Examples

Later, she was made an archdeacon after her work with the homeless in Dublin.
9 Crazy Sinead O’Connor Moments Tricia Romano February 19, 2012

Historical Examples

Indeed, the archdeacon cared to be in no house in which those around him were supposed to be bigger than himself.
The Last Chronicle of Barset Anthony Trollope

Do you know that he is neither deacon, archdeacon, nor priest?
The Conspirators Alexandre Dumas (Pere)

The scene in the house of the archdeacon of Bangor is too exquisite for any one to desire it to be proved a fable.
Henry of Monmouth, Volume 2 J. Endell Tyler

The Bishop and archdeacon Pratt preached morning and afternoon.
Sketches of Our Life at Sarawak Harriette McDougall

As for the archdeacon, when the other was gone, he sat down silently on his abandoned chair.
Miss Marjoribanks Mrs (Margaret) Oliphant

archdeacon upon his eloquence, began to smile and nudged each other.
Some Reminiscences of old Victoria Edgar Fawcett

There was an aged negro man present, who was noticed with marked attention by the archdeacon, the Rector and other clergymen.
The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Omnibus American Anti-Slavery Society

But the archdeacon’s a just man and he would not have made a remark of that kind.
Lalage’s Lovers George A. Birmingham

Lady Lufton, when the apparent impropriety was pointed out to her by no less a person than archdeacon Grantly, ridiculed the idea.
The Last Chronicle of Barset Anthony Trollope

noun
an Anglican clergyman ranking just below a bishop and having supervisory duties under the bishop
a clergyman of similar rank in other Churches
n.

Old English arcediacon, from Church Latin archidiaconus, from Ecclesiastical Greek arkhidiakonon “chief deacon;” see arch- + deacon.