26984 words

elders

9 definitions • 12 examples
1
an older person, especially one with a respected position in society:

Examples:

You should listen to the advice of your elders.
village elder They consulted the village elders.
someone’s elder by formal She is my elder by three years (= three years older than I am).
2

Examples:

church elder One of the church elders visited her in hospital.
3
a small tree or bush on which elderflowers and elderberries grow:

Examples:

The sweetly scented, creamy-white flowers of the elder appear in abundance at the beginning of summer.
Hawthorn and blackthorn buds are bursting and elder trees are coming into leaf.
4
a sister/brother/son/daughter who is older than the other sister(s), brother(s), etc.:

Examples:

Her parents and elder sister stayed behind in Poland when she came to America.
5
the older person of two people:

Examples:

Of the two brothers Harvey is the elder.
He was the elder by five years.
6
used after someone's name to show that they are the older of two people who have the same name, especially a father and son:

Examples:

William Pitt the elder
7
an older person, esp. one who deserves respect:

Examples:

You should listen to your elders.
8
9
(of a family member) older:

Examples:

Navigation