Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Elder
1.
Older; more aged, or existing longer.
Let the
elder
men among us emulate their own earlier deeds. Jowett (Thucyd. )
2.
Born before another; prior in years; senior; earlier; older;
as, his
; – opposed to elder
brother died in infancyyounger
, and now commonly applied to a son, daughter, child, brother, etc. The
elder
shall serve the younger. Gen. xxv. 23.
But ask of
elder
days, earth’s vernal hour. Keble.
Elder hand
(Card Playing)
, the hand playing, or having the right to play, first.
Hoyle.
1.
One who is older; a superior in age; a senior.
1 Tim. v. 1.
2.
An aged person; one who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.
Carry your head as your
elders
have done. L'Estrange.
3.
A person who, on account of his age, occupies the office of ruler or judge; hence, a person occupying any office appropriate to such as have the experience and dignity which age confers;
as, the
elders
of Israel; the elders
of the synagogue; the elders
in the apostolic church.☞ In the modern Presbyterian churches, elders are lay officers who, with the minister, compose the church session, with authority to inspect and regulate matters of religion and discipline. In some churches, pastors or clergymen are called elders, or presbyters.
4.
(M. E. Ch.)
A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments;
as, a traveling
. elder
Presiding elder
(Meth. Ch.)
, an elder commissioned by a bishop to have the oversight of the churches and preachers in a certain district.
– Ruling elder
, a lay presbyter or member of a Presbyterian church session.
Schaff.
El′der
,Noun.
[OE.
ellern
, eller
, AS. ellen
, cf. LG. elloorn
; perh. akin to OHG. holantar
, holuntar
, G. holunder
; or perh. to E. alder
, n.
] (Bot.)
A genus of shrubs (
Sambucus
) having broad umbels of white flowers, and small black or red berries. Webster 1828 Edition
Elder
EL'DER
,Noun.