Elder /(?)/
Eld·er
Elder
a.
-
Older; more aged, or existing longer.
Let the elder men among us emulate their own earlier deeds.
-
Born before another; prior in years; senior; earlier; older; as, his elder brother died in infancy; -- opposed to younger, and now commonly applied to a son, daughter, child, brother, etc.
The elder shall serve the younger.
But ask of elder days, earth's vernal hour.
Phrases & Compounds
- Elder hand
- the hand playing, or having the right to play, first.
Elder
n.
- One who is older; a superior in age; a senior.
-
An aged person; one who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.
Carry your head as your elders have done.
- 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.
- A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments; as, a traveling elder. (M. E. Ch.)
Phrases & Compounds
- Presiding elder
- 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.
Elder
n.
- A genus of shrubs (Sambucus) having broad umbels of white flowers, and small black or red berries. (Bot.)
Phrases & Compounds
- Box elder
- See under 1st Box.
- Dwarf elder
- See Danewort.
- Elder tree
- Same as Elder.
- Marsh elder
- the cranberry tree Viburnum Opulus).