elder1
adj.
(of one or more out of a group of people) of a greater age.
n.
-
(one's elder)
a person of greater age than one.
- a leader or senior figure in a community or tribe.
- an official in the early Christian Church, or of various Protestant Churches and sects.
Derivative
Etymology
OE ieldra, eldra, of Gmc origin; rel. to eld and old.
elder2
n.
a small tree or shrub with white flowers and bluish-black or red berries.
[
Sambucus nigra and related species.]
▸used in names of other plants resembling this, e.g. ground elder.
Etymology
OE ellærn; rel. to Mid. Low Ger. ellern, elderne.
