presbyter

[ prez-bi-ter, pres- ]

noun

1. (in the early Christian church) an office bearer who exercised teaching, priestly, and administrative functions.
2. (in hierarchical churches) a priest.
3. an elder in a Presbyterian church.

presbyter

/ ˈprɛzbɪtə /

noun

1. 1. an elder of a congregation in the early Christian Church
   2. (in some Churches having episcopal politics) an official who is subordinate to a bishop and has administrative, teaching, and sacerdotal functions
2. See priest
   (in some hierarchical Churches) another name for priest
3. in the Presbyterian Church
   1. a teaching elder
   2. a ruling elder

Other Words From

• pres·byt·er·al [prez-, bit, -er-, uh, l, pres-], adjective
• non·presby·ter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of presbyter¹

1590–1600; < Late Latin, noun use of the adj.: older < Greek presbýteros, equivalent to présby ( s ) old + -teros comparative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of presbyter¹

C16: from Late Latin, from Greek presbuteros an older man, from presbus old man

Example Sentences

The larger cubiculum has two tufa seats at the side, and one more elevated for the presiding presbyter.

From Project Gutenberg

The altar, probably a small movable one of wood, if any at all, must have stood before the presbyter.

From Project Gutenberg

There was no priest (cohen); the presbyter was the "elder," nothing more.

From Project Gutenberg

Twelve miles off lived a presbyter, with whom, in mesmerist phraseology, he was en rapport.

From Project Gutenberg

If they were written by a writer named John, it was probably John the Presbyter, who lived in the second century.

From Project Gutenberg