Definition of "elder" []

• Greater than another in age or seniority. (adjective)
• Superior to another or others, as in rank. (adjective)
• An older person. (noun)
• An older, influential member of a family, tribe, or community. (noun)
• One of the governing officers of a church, often having pastoral or teaching functions. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The term elder, or old man as the Hebrew literally imports, was one of extensive use, as an official title, among the Hebrews and the surrounding nations, because the heads of tribes and the leading people who had acquired influence were naturally the older people of the nation."
• "Taking care of a elder is a emotional challenge because of some of the negative behavior exhibited by the elder."
• "Southern comfortable gentleman waits in elder shadows for bears & bunnys."