presbyter

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presbyter elder in the early Christian church; Christian minister of the second order XVI; † presbyterian XVII. — ecclL. presbyter — Gr. presbúteros in N.T. ‘elder’ of the Jewish sanhedrin, ‘elder’ of the apostolic church, sb. use of compar. of présbus old.
So presbyterate (-ATE1) office of presbyter, body of presbyters. XVII. — ecclL. presbyterātus. presbyterian pert. to government by presbyters or elders; also sb. XVII. f. ecclL. presbyterium. presbytery part of a church reserved for the clergy, sanctuary XV; body of presbyters or elders; presbyterianism XVI; priest's house XIX. — OF. presbiterie — ecclL. presbyterium — Gr. presbutérion; see -Y4.

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