presbyterial

American  

[prez-bi-teer-ee-uhl, pres-] / ˌprɛz bɪˈtɪər i əl, ˌprɛs- /

adjective

1. of or relating to a presbytery.

2. presbyterian.

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presbyterial British  

/ ˌprɛzbɪˈtɪərɪəl /

adjective

1. Also: presbyteral.  of or relating to a presbyter or presbytery

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Other Word Forms

• presbyterially adverb

Etymology

Origin of presbyterial

First recorded in 1585–95; presbytery + -al ¹

Example Sentences

These charges were contemptuously dismissed by the presbyterial court.

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Burns, Robert

He has been reproached in modern times for doing so little to bring the laity into coöperation by means of a presbyterial organization.

From The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 12 by Various

If no church government, then no presbyterial government.

From The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2) by Gillespie, George

And the same year the book of discipline, containing the form and order of presbyterial government, was subscribed by a great part of the nobility.

From A Hind Let Loose Or, An Historical Representation of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland for the Interest of Christ. With the True State Thereof in All Its Periods by Shields, Alexander

This was true: the ruling classes had seen too much of presbyterial government, and would prefer bishops as long as they were not pampered and all-powerful. 

From A Short History of Scotland by Lang, Andrew