acolyth

Noun

acolyte (plural acolytes)

1. One who has received the highest of the four minor orders in the Catholic Church, being ordained to carry the wine, water and lights at Mass.
2. An altar server.
   • The kneeling acolyte chimed a sacring-bell, and the congregation bent and swayed like a wheat-field swept scross by sudden wind.1965, Attila Zohar, Kings Cross Black Magic, Sydney: Horwitz Publications, page 27
3. An attendant, assistant, or follower.
   • “Apparently, one of Milius's acolytes spends a lot of time at the top of that huge, dangerous mountain. Better get climbing.” “(groans) Oh.”2024 October 31, Stephanie Amante-Ritter, “The Best Exotic Nanite Hotel” (8:16 from the start), in Star Trek: Lower Decks, season 5, episode 3, spoken by Jack Ransom (Jerry O'Connell)

   Synonyms:

   sidekick

4. A devoted follower, fan, especially an overly eager one, following blindly.