from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Elder \Eld"er\, n. [AS. ealdor an elder, prince, fr. eald old.
See {Old}, and cf. {Elder}, a., {Alderman}.]
1. One who is older; a superior in age; a senior. --1 Tim. v.
1.
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2. An aged person; one who lived at an earlier period; a
predecessor.
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Carry your head as your elders have done.
--L'Estrange.
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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.
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Note: 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.
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4. (M. E. Ch.) A clergyman authorized to administer all the
sacraments; as, a traveling elder.
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{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.
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