ELDER

Definitions

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