˜yÐÄvlog

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View synonyms for

elder

1

[ el-der ]

adjective

  1. of greater age; older.

    Antonyms:

  2. of higher rank; senior:

    an elder officer.

  3. of or relating to former times; earlier:

    Much that was forbidden by elder custom is accepted today.



noun

  1. a person who is older or higher in rank than oneself.
  2. an aged person.
  3. an influential member of a tribe or community, often a chief or ruler; a superior.
  4. (in certain Protestant churches) a lay member who is a governing officer, often assisting the pastor in services.
  5. Mormon Church. a member of the Melchizedek priesthood.

elder

2

[ el-der ]

noun

  1. any tree or shrub belonging to the genus Sambucus, of the honeysuckle family, having pinnate leaves, clusters of white flowers, and red or black, berrylike fruit.

Elder

1

/ ˈɛ±ô»åÉ™ /

noun

  1. ElderSir Mark Philip1947MBritishMUSIC: conductor Sir Mark Philip. born 1947, British conductor; musical director of the English National Opera (1979–93) and of the Hallé Orchestra from 2000
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

elder

2

/ ˈɛ±ô»åÉ™ /

adjective

  1. born earlier; senior Compare older
  2. (in piquet and similar card games) denoting or relating to the nondealer (the elder hand ), who has certain advantages in the play
  3. archaic.
    1. prior in rank, position, or office
    2. of a previous time; former
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an older person; one's senior
  2. anthropol a senior member of a tribe who has influence or authority
  3. (in certain Protestant Churches) a lay office having teaching, pastoral, or administrative functions
  4. another word for presbyter
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

elder

3

/ ˈɛ±ô»åÉ™ /

noun

  1. Also calledelderberry any of various caprifoliaceous shrubs or small trees of the genus Sambucus, having clusters of small white flowers and red, purple, or black berry-like fruits
  2. any of various unrelated plants, such as box elder and marsh elder
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

The word elder is being increasingly used, as a more respectful way of referring to older people: elder care , elder abuse
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ±ð±ô»å±ð°ùËŒ²õ³ó¾±±è, noun
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of elder1

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English eldra, comparative of eald, ald; old

Origin of elder2

First recorded before 900; Middle English eldre, elrene, ellerne, Old English ±ð±ô±ôæ°ù²Ô; cognate with Middle Low German ellern
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of elder1

Old English eldra, comparative of eald old ; related to Old Norse ellri, Old High German altiro, Gothic althiza

Origin of elder2

Old English ellern; related to Old Norse elrir, Old High German ±ð°ù±ôÄ«²Ô, Old Slavonic Âá±ð±ôdz¦³ó²¹, Latin alnus
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Synonym Study

See older.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

They have also given a two-year rookie deal to Rocky Flintoff's elder brother, Corey, who played for Lancashire's second XI last summer.

From

Ben says his ordeal started in his early 20s, after he was invited to attend Bible studies with an elder from his church.

From

The elder Zambada said at a Jan. 15 hearing that he understood the situation and trusted his lawyer.

From

At Chapter One, Lira, with more than a decade on the job, has become the restaurant’s elder statesman.

From

Toward the end of his life, the Academy Award-winning actor claimed to be a victim of elder abuse.

From

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More About Elder

What does elder mean?

Elder describes something or someone older. For example, if you have two sons, one is the elder son (the older one, born first) and one is the junior son (the younger one, born second).

Elder also describes being of higher rank, or more senior.

An elder is an old person. Old might depend on who you ask. To a 5-year-old child, a 50-year-old person might seem old, while to an 80-year-old, that 50-year-old is young. However, elder always means someone older than you.

An elder is also an influential person in a community, often a ruler or part of a committee of rulers, and often older or more senior than most people in the community.

An elder is also a tree in the honeysuckle family. Elderflowers and elderberries come from an elder tree.

Example: Of the queen’s two daughters, the elder became queen, while the younger became a great warrior.

Where does elder come from?

The first records of the term elder meaning “older†come from before the year 900.

It ultimately comes from the Old English word eldra.

The first records of the term elder referring to a type of tree also come from before the year 900. It ultimately comes from the Old English word ellaern.

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for elder?

What are some words that share a root or word element with elder?

What are some words that often get used in discussing elder?

What are some words elder may be commonly confused with?

How is elder used in real life?

Elder is a common word used to refer to someone older or more senior than the speaker. It’s also used to refer to trees or shrubs from the honeysuckle family.

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Try using elder!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of elder?

A. youngster
B. senior
C. veteran
D. matriarch

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