presbyter
noun
pres·by·ter ˈprez-bə-tər 
ˈpres-
1
: a member of the governing body of an early Christian church
2
: a member of the order of priests in churches having episcopal hierarchies that include bishops, priests, and deacons
3
: elder sense 4b
presbyterate
prez-ˈbi-tə-rət
noun pres-
-ˌrāt
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web This would be the case also for an apostate, heretic, schismatic bishop, presbyter, or deacon. 
Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021 The Rev. Allen D. Timm, executive presbyter of the Presbytery Church in Detroit, said the church is waiting to hear from the general assembly as to when volunteers will be dispatched to Houston. Allie Gross, Detroit Free Press, 29 Aug. 2017 Before coming to Birmingham, Webster had served 18 years as executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca in southern New Mexico. Greg Garrison, AL.com, 19 July 2017
Fr. Goran Jovicic, National Review, 13 June 2021 The Rev. Allen D. Timm, executive presbyter of the Presbytery Church in Detroit, said the church is waiting to hear from the general assembly as to when volunteers will be dispatched to Houston. Allie Gross, Detroit Free Press, 29 Aug. 2017 Before coming to Birmingham, Webster had served 18 years as executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Sierra Blanca in southern New Mexico. Greg Garrison, AL.com, 19 July 2017 Word History
Etymology
Late Latin, elder, priest, from Greek presbyteros, comparative of presbys old man, elder; akin to Greek pro before and Greek bainein to go — more at for, come
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
presbyters
noun
as in bishops
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bishops
- prelates
- archbishops
- diocesans
- deaconesses
- abbots
- popes
- deans
- archpriests
- pastors
- priestesses
- monsignors
- deacons
- parsons
- vicars
- rectors
- clergymen
- priests
- clergywomen
- churchmen
- curés
- abbés
- confessors
- shepherds
- ecclesiastics
- chaplains
- preachers
- clerics
- curates
- monsignori
- divines
- clericals
- reverends
- padres
- missionaries
- fathers
- monks
- missioners
- ministers
- friars
- monastics
- religious
- mendicants
- clergypersons
- revivalists
- oblates
- clerks
- evangelists
- dominies
- Holy Joes
- sky pilots
- missionizers
- high priests
- high priestesses
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- laymen
- laypeople
- secular
- seculars
- lectors
- lay readers