Definition of "elder" in Englisch

adjective

1. comparative degree of old: older, greater than another in age or seniority.

   • It's typical for elder married couples to live in retirement homes.
   • The elder of the two was also an elder statesman.

noun

1. A leader or senior member of a tribe or community, often of considerable age, respected as an authority figure, especially in a counselling, consultative, or ceremonial role.

   • We were presented to the village elder.
   • At the friendship centre, you can arrange to meet with a social worker or an elder.

2. (now chiefly US) An old person.

3. (relational, chiefly in the plural, chiefly with possessive determiners) One who is older than another.

   • Respect your elders.

4. One who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.

5. An officer of a church, sometimes having teaching responsibilities.

6. A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments.

   • a travelling elder

7. (US, Mormonism) One ordained to the lowest office in the Melchizedek priesthood.

   • After being a member of the Church for a while, Bill was ordained to the office of elder.
   • Jack had been an elder for only a few days when he received a new calling.

8. (US, Mormonism) A male missionary.

   • The elders are coming over for dinner tonight.

9. (Mormonism, often capitalized) Title for a male missionary; title for a general authority.

   • One of the long-time leaders in the Church is Elder Packer.

10. (Germanic paganism) A pagan or Heathen priest or priestess.

verb

1. (Quakerism) To admonish or reprove for improper conduct by the elders of the meeting.

   • I was eldered for directly responding to someone else's message in meeting for worship.

noun

1. A small tree, Sambucus nigra, having white flowers in a cluster, and edible purple berries.

2. Any of the other species of the genus Sambucus: small trees, shrubs or herbaceous perennials with red, purple, or white and yellow berries (some of which are poisonous).

noun

1. A cow's udder, especially used as food.