[ 'prɛzbɪt(ə)ri ]
■ noun ( plural presbyteries )
1》 [treated as sing. or plural ] a body of Church elders, especially (in Presbyterian Churches) an administrative court representing the congregations of a district.
↘a district represented by such a body.
2》 the house of a Roman Catholic parish priest.
3》 chiefly Architecture the eastern part of a church chancel beyond the choir.
Origin
ME: from OFr. presbiterie , via eccles. L. from Gk presbuterion , from presbuteros (see presbyter ).