of earlier birth or greater age, esp than another related person or thing
He doesn't get on with his elder brother
[Old English ieldra, compar of ealdold1]
elderorolder? Elder is used only in comparing the ages of people, usually within a family group (my elder brother/sister), and cannot be followed by than (My brother is two years older – not elder –than I am). Older can be used in place of elder and is always used when describing things
elder2noun
somebody who is older; a senior
I was brought up to respect my elders
somebody having authority by virtue of age and experience
We need the cooperation of the village elders
an official of the early Christian Church or of a Presbyterian, Quaker, etc congregation
eldershipnoun
elder3noun
any of several species of common shrubs or small trees of the honeysuckle family with white flowers and black or red berries: genus Sambucus