acology, akology

[Gr. (1) ἄκος ( akos ) a cure, relief, remedy: fr. ακέομαι (akeomai) = to heal; (2) λόγος ( logos ) = a discourse.] The science which treats of the remedies for diseases the science of medicines; the materia medic a; therapeutics. ăc-ol-yte, ăc-ol-o-thist, ăc-ol-yth, ăc-ol-ythe, ăc-ol-y-thus ( pl . ăcol-y-thi), s. [In Ger. akoluth ; Fr. aco lyte ; Gr. ἀκόλουθος ( akolouthos ) = a follower, ἀκολουθέω ( αkoloutheō ) = to follow: a, copulative; κέλευθος ( keleuthos ) = a path.] Ch. Hist. One belonging to an order of petty ecclesiastical functionaries instituted in the third century to attend upon the Latin clergy. Their chief duty was to light the lamps and prepare the elements for the communion. At their ordination they received a candlestick with a taper, to symbolise the first of these functions, and an empty pitcher to represent the second. Similar officers still exist in the Church of Rome. to ordain the acolothist to keep the sacred Ve els." Ayliffe: Parergon Juris Canonic i. "At the end of every station an a coly the (an inferior kind of officer) dips the pitiful pitch into the oil of a burning lamp."- Brevint : Saul and Samuel at Endor . "The words subdeacons, acolyth i , ostiarii -Mosheim: Church Hist ., cent, ifi., pt. ii., ch. ii. ."