Elder — Defs

01 a. Older; more aged, or existing longer.

1.
Older; more aged, or existing longer.
“Let the elder men among us emulate their own earlier deeds.” — Jowett (Thucyd. )
2.
Born before another; prior in years; senior; earlier; older; as, his elder brother died in infancy; -- opposed to younger, and now commonly applied to a son, daughter, child, brother, etc.
“The elder shall serve the younger.” — Gen. xxv. 23.

“But ask of elder days, earth's vernal hour.” — Keble.

Phrases & compounds

Elder hand — the hand playing, or having the right to play, first.

02 n. One who is older; a superior in age; a senior.

1.
One who is older; a superior in age; a senior.
2.
An aged person; one who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.
“Carry your head as your elders have done.” — L'Estrange.
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.
4.
A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments; as, a traveling elder.(M. E. Ch.)

Phrases & compounds

Presiding elder — 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.

03 n. A genus of shrubs (Sambucus) having broad umbels of white flowers, and small black or red berries.

1.
A genus of shrubs (Sambucus) having broad umbels of white flowers, and small black or red berries.(Bot.)

Phrases & compounds

Box elder — See under 1st Box.

Dwarf elder — See Danewort.

Elder tree — Same as Elder.

Marsh elder — the cranberry tree Viburnum Opulus).