elder 1
/el"deuhr/ , adj. a compar. of old with eldest as superl.
1. of greater age; older.
2. of higher rank; senior: an elder officer.
3. of or pertaining to former times; earlier: Much that was forbidden by elder custom is accepted today.
n.
4. a person who is older or higher in rank than oneself.
5. an aged person.
6. an influential member of a tribe or community, often a chief or ruler; a superior.
7. a presbyter.
8. (in certain Protestant churches) a lay member who is a governing officer, often assisting the pastor in services.
9. Mormon Ch. a member of the Melchizedek priesthood.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE eldra, comp. of eald OLD ]
Syn. 1. See older .
Ant. 1. younger.
elder 2
/el"deuhr/ , n.
any tree or shrub belonging to the genus Sambucus, of the honeysuckle family, having pinnate leaves, clusters of white flowers, and red or black, berrylike fruit.
[ bef. 900; ME eldre, elrene, ellerne, OE ellaern; c. MLG ellern ]