[pres.by.ter] n [LL, elder, priest, fr. Gk presbyteros, compar. of presbys old man, elder; akin to Gk pro before and Gk bainein to go--more at for, come] (1597) 1: a member of the governing body of an early Christian church
2: a member of the order of priests in churches having episcopal hierarchies that include bishops, priests, and deacons
3: elder 4b -- pres.byt.er.ate n