Webster's English Dictionary

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elder

1. el.der \'el-d*r\ n [ME eldre, fr. OE ellrn; prob. akin to OE alor 
   alder] - more at ALDER : any of a genus (Sambucus) of shrubs or trees of 
   the honeysuckle fa mily bearing flat clusters of small white or pink 
   flowers and black or red drupes resembling berries
2. elder \-.ship\ aj [ME, fr. OE ieldra, compar. of eald old] 1: of earlier 
   birth or greater age  2: of or relating to earlier times : FORMER  obs  3: 
   of or relating to a more advanced time of life  4: prior or superior in 
   rank, office, or validity  - el.der.ship n
3. elder \-.ship\ n 1: one living in an earlier period  2a: one who is 
   older : SENIOR  archaic  2b: an aged person  3: one having authority by 
   virtue of age and experience  4: any of various church officers : as  4a: 
   PRESBYTER  4b: a permanent officer elected by a Presbyterian congregation 
   and ordained  to serve on the session and assist the pastor at communion 
   4c: MINISTER 2b  4d: a Mormon ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood  - 
   el.der.ship n