Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Used of the older of two persons of the same name: Specifically employed to distinguish a father from his son or an older individual from a younger relative with an identical name.

2. Noun:

   • A person who is older than you are: An individual of greater age, often implying respect or seniority.
   • Any of various church officers: A person holding a position of authority, responsibility, or governance in certain Christian churches.
   • Any of numerous shrubs or small trees: Refers to plants of the genus Sambucus, found in temperate and subtropical regions of the northern hemisphere, characterized by clusters of white flowers and small, dark, berry-like fruit.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Bill Adams, Sr., is the elder statesman of the family.
  • My elder sister taught me how to read.

• Noun (Person):

  • We should always respect our elders.
  • He sought advice from a village elder.

• Noun (Church Officer):

  • The board of elders makes important decisions for the congregation.
  • She was ordained as an elder in the Presbyterian church.

• Noun (Plant):

  • The elder is blooming in the hedgerow.
  • We made a cordial from elder flowers.

Advanced Usage

• "Elder statesman": A respected, experienced, and influential person, especially in politics or a particular field.

  • After retiring, he served as an elder statesman, offering counsel to new leaders.

• "Respect your elders": A common phrase advising younger people to show respect to those who are older.

  • It's a simple rule: respect your elders.

Variants and Related Words

• Elderly (adj): (Of a person) old or aging.
  • Special facilities are available for elderly residents.
• Eldership (n): The office, term, or rank of an elder.
  • His eldership was marked by wisdom and fairness.
• Elderberry (n): The berry-like fruit of the elder tree/shrub.
  • This jam is made from elderberries.

Synonyms

• Senior: Older in age or higher in rank.
• Older: Of greater age (a more general, neutral term).
• Ancient: Very old (often for things or people of great age).
• Presbyter: A formal term for an elder in some churches.

Related Phrases

• Elder care: The fulfilling of the special needs and requirements of older adults.
  • She works in the field of elder care.
• Tribal elder: A leader and repository of tradition in an indigenous community.
  • The tribal elder told stories of their ancestors.

Idioms

• The elder hand: (In card games) the player who is to the left of the dealer, or the one who plays first.
  • As the elder hand, it was her turn to lead.
• To be one's elder and better: To be older and wiser than someone.
  • You should listen to him; he is your elder and better.

Adjective

1. used of the older of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a father from his son
   • Bill Adams, Sr.

Noun

1. any of various church officers
2. any of numerous shrubs or small trees of temperate and subtropical northern hemisphere having white flowers and berrylike fruit
3. a person who is older than you are