/ ˌprezbɪˈtɪəriən; NAmE -ˈtɪr-/ noun
a member of a branch of the Christian Protestant Church that is the national Church of Scotland and one of the largest Churches in the US. It is governed by elders who are all equal in rank.
► Pres·by·ter·ian adjective
► Pres·by·ter·ian·ism / ˌprezbɪˈtɪəriənɪzəm; NAmE -ˈtɪr-/ noun [ U ]
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from ecclesiastical Latin presbyterium (from Greek presbuterion , from presbuteros elder (used in the New Testament to denote an elder of the early church), comparative of presbus old (man)) + -an .