elder
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /ˈeldə/
ipa: /ˈɛldə/
ipa: /ˈɛldɚ/
ipa: /ˈɛldəɹ/
rhymes: -ɛldə(ɹ)
Forms: form: elders
Etymology: 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.
Senses: examples: text: We were presented to the village elder.
text: At the friendship centre, you can arrange to meet with a social worker or an elder.
text: 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.
ref: 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:
text: 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[…]
ref: 2022 August 25, Seyi Akiwowo, How to Stay Safe Online: A digital self-care toolkit for developing resilience and allyship, Penguin UK, →ISBN:
glosses: 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.
examples: text: 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.
ref: 2022, Ruth Taber, “Opinion: We’ll be healthier and happier if we adjust our thinking about aging”, in El Paso Matters:
glosses: An old person.
examples: text: Respect your elders.
glosses: One who is older than another.
raw_tags: with possessive determiners
examples: text: Carry your Head[…] as your Elders have done.
ref: 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:
glosses: One who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.
glosses: An officer of a church, sometimes having teaching responsibilities.
examples: text: a travelling elder
glosses: A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments.
examples: text: After being a member of the Church for a while, Bill was ordained to the office of elder.
text: Jack had been an elder for only a few days when he received a new calling.
glosses: One ordained to the lowest office in the Melchizedek priesthood.
examples: text: The elders are coming over for dinner tonight.
glosses: A male missionary.
examples: text: One of the long-time leaders in the Church is Elder Packer.
glosses: Title for a male missionary; title for a general authority.
topics: lifestyle
paganism
religion
glosses: A pagan or Heathen priest or priestess.
Synonyms: sense: older person
word: eld
word: mzee
word: senior
word: old person
sense: one who lived at an earlier period
word: antecessor
word: forerunner
word: predecessor