from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Presbyter \Pres"by*ter\, n. [L. an elder, fr. Gr. ?. See
{Priest}.]
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1. An elder in the early Christian church. See 2d Citation
under {Bishop}, n., 1.
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2. (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) One ordained to the second
order in the ministry; -- called also {priest}.
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I rather term the one sort presbyter than priest.
--Hooker.
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New presbyter is but old priest writ large.
--Milton.
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3. (Presbyterian Ch.) A member of a presbytery whether lay or
clerical.
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4. A Presbyterian. [Obs.] --Hudibras.
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