elder

¹

[ el-der ]

adjective

1. of greater age; older.

   Antonyms: younger

2. of higher rank; senior:

   an elder officer.

3. of or relating to former times; earlier:

   Much that was forbidden by elder custom is accepted today.

noun

1. a person who is older or higher in rank than oneself.
2. an aged person.
3. an influential member of a tribe or community, often a chief or ruler; a superior.
4. a presbyter.
5. (in certain Protestant churches) a lay member who is a governing officer, often assisting the pastor in services.
6. Mormon Church. a member of the Melchizedek priesthood.

elder

²

[ el-der ]

noun

1. 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.

elder

¹

/ ˈɛldə /

adjective

1. born earlier; senior Compare older
2. (in piquet and similar card games) denoting or relating to the nondealer (the elder hand ), who has certain advantages in the play
3. archaic.
   1. prior in rank, position, or office
   2. of a previous time; former

noun

1. an older person; one's senior
2. anthropol a senior member of a tribe who has influence or authority
3. (in certain Protestant Churches) a lay office having teaching, pastoral, or administrative functions
4. another word for presbyter

Elder

²

/ ˈɛldə /

noun

1. ElderSir Mark Philip1947MBritishMUSIC: conductor Sir Mark Philip. born 1947, British conductor; musical director of the English National Opera (1979–93) and of the Hallé Orchestra from 2000

elder

³

/ ˈɛldə /

noun

1. Also calledelderberry any of various caprifoliaceous shrubs or small trees of the genus Sambucus, having clusters of small white flowers and red, purple, or black berry-like fruits
2. any of various unrelated plants, such as box elder and marsh elder

Usage

The word elder is being increasingly used, as a more respectful way of referring to older people: elder care , elder abuse

Derived Forms

• ˈelderˌship, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of elder¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English eldra, comparative of eald, ald; old

Origin of elder²

First recorded before 900; Middle English eldre, elrene, ellerne, Old English ellærn; cognate with Middle Low German ellern

Word History and Origins

Origin of elder¹

Old English eldra, comparative of eald old ; related to Old Norse ellri, Old High German altiro, Gothic althiza

Origin of elder²

Old English ellern; related to Old Norse elrir, Old High German erlīn, Old Slavonic jelǐcha, Latin alnus

Synonym Study

See older.

Example Sentences

“Hurting others or destroying property is not the answer,” the elder Brown had said last week in a public-service video.

From The Daily Beast

Our escort, Hajji Zalwar Khan, is the chief elder in charge of the valley council.

From The Daily Beast

As another elder in the valley put it—perhaps more succinctly—“emotions are for women.”

From The Daily Beast

He speaks of her much as he might of his elder son, the SEAL.

From The Daily Beast

William Kristol, the editor of The Weekly Standard, was in rare agreement with the elder Paul.

From The Daily Beast

Here the speaker, putting her hand before her mouth, coughed again, and looked affectionately at the elder Mr. Weller.

From Project Gutenberg

“My sister is passionately fond of children,” said the elder lady, in smiling apology.

From Project Gutenberg

"All right, Pater," you would say, and leave the matter in the hands of the elder generation.

From Project Gutenberg

You see, your two elder brothers went to the University, but then we could find them family livings.

From Project Gutenberg

Moreover, it circulated over all the state where the Elder was well known, and gave the gossips great food for delight.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• older