someone versed in Holy Writ, particularly in reference to Second Temple Judaism, but also applied to other, chiefly later periods; a scribe · a scribe, a professional writer, copyist, etc.
Borrowed from Old Church Slavonic диꙗкъ (dijakŭ), from Ancient Greek διάκος (diákos). Compare another meaning development from the source: Czech žák (“pupil; disciple”). Akin to дья́кон (dʹjákon). Compare typologically Latin clēricus (whence клерк (klerk)), from Ancient Greek κληρικός (klērikós), whence кли́рик (klírik).