presbyter

American  

[prez-bi-ter, pres-] / ˈprɛz bɪ tər, ˈprɛs- /

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.

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presbyter British  

/ 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. (in some hierarchical Churches) another name for priest

3. 1. a teaching elder

   2. a ruling elder

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonpresbyter
  noun
• presbyteral
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of presbyter

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

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Sallie Watson, General Presbyter of Mission Presbytery, which oversees 130 churches in South Texas, has signed a letter requesting that Abbott require churches to hold services remotely.

From Washington Times • Apr. 6, 2020

Then shall this general confession be made by the people, along with the Presbyter; he first kneeling down.

From The Book of Common Prayer and The Scottish Liturgy by Episcopal Church in Scotland

Now it has been shown that John the disciple of the Lord never saw Polycarp, and if anything of the kind ever did take place, it was between Polycarp and John the Presbyter.

From The Christ Of Paul Or, The Enigmas of Christianity by Reber, George

Then the Presbyter shall declare unto the people what Holy-days or Fasting-days are in the week to be observed.

From The Book of Common Prayer and The Scottish Liturgy by Episcopal Church in Scotland

But thy lancers are Mauritanians: pious Christians, baptised by the Presbyter.

From Felicitas A Tale of the German Migrations: A.D. 476 by Dahn, Felix