elder
nounEtymology From Middle English eldre, from Old English eldra, yldra, ieldra, from Proto-Germanic *alþizô. The vowel change from a to e triggered by the following i is called umlaut or I-mutation.
11 senses
- 1A leader or senior member of a tribe or community, often…
- 2An old person.
- 3One who is older than another.
- 4One who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.
- 5An officer of a church, sometimes having teaching…
- 6A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments.
- 7A priest.
- 8One ordained to the lowest office in the Melchizedek priesthood.
- 9A male missionary.
- 10Title for a male missionary; title for a general authority.
- 11A pagan or Heathen priest or priestess.
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.
3 more examples
- People saw in the elders, who were closer to death, the manifestation of the divine force that was thought to achieve its full liberation at death.1995, Julius Evola, “The Two Paths in the Afterlife”, in Guido Stucco, transl., Revolt against the Modern World, Rochester, Vermont: Inner Traditions International, translation of Rivolta contro il mondo moderno, →ISBN, page 50:
- I probably wouldn't be here talking about this very topic if it weren't for the few but mighty elders in the tech and gender rights spaces. Folks like South Africa-based Jan Moolman from the Association for Progressive Communications[…]2022 August 25, Seyi Akiwowo, How to Stay Safe Online: A digital self-care toolkit for developing resilience and allyship, Penguin UK, →ISBN:
- Fashion elder compères his own celebration of designs revived from his archive by design director Sam Cotton[.]2026 January 17, Lauren Cochrane, “Paul Smith reworks his past at Milan menswear salon show”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
US An old person.
- Treating illness among society’s elders is challenging since board-certified geriatricians (physicians trained, knowledgeable and certified in treating older patients) are in short supply, here in El Paso and throughout the country.2022, Ruth Taber, “Opinion: We’ll be healthier and happier if we adjust our thinking about aging”, in El Paso Matters:
In plural, Relational, With possessive determiners One who is older than another.
- Respect your elders.
One who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.
- Carry your Head[…] as your Elders have done.1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:
An officer of a church, sometimes having teaching responsibilities.
A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments.
- a travelling elder
Obsolete A priest.
Tyndale Bible; also puristic; Tyndale Bible; also puristic
- 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.
Mormonism, Capitalized, Often Title for a male missionary; title for a general authority.
- One of the long-time leaders in the Church is Elder Packer.
- Synonyms
- eld, mzee, senior, antecessor, forerunner