presbyter

 
Pronunciation: /ˈprɛzbɪtə/

noun

historical
  • an elder or minister of the Christian Church.
  • formal (in Presbyterian Churches) an elder.
  • formal (in episcopal Churches) a minister of the second order, under the authority of a bishop.

Derivatives

presbyteral

Pronunciation: /-ˈbɪt(ə)r(ə)l/
adjective

presbyterate

Pronunciation: /-ˈbɪt(ə)rət/
noun

presbyterial

Pronunciation: /-ˈtɪərɪəl/
adjective

presbytership

noun

Origin:

late 16th century: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek presbuteros 'elder' (used in the New Testament to denote an elder of the early church), comparative of presbus 'old (man)'