of greater age; older.

of higher rank; senior

an elder officer.

of or pertaining to former times; earlier

Much that was forbidden by elder custom is accepted today.

a person who is older or higher in rank than oneself.

an aged person.

an influential member of a tribe or community, often a chief or ruler; a superior.

a presbyter.

(in certain Protestant churches) a lay member who is a governing officer, often assisting the pastor in services.

Mormon Church . a member of the Melchizedek priesthood.

adjective

last-born , younger , youngest

noun

junior , minor , youngster , youth

adjective

ancient , earlier , first-born , more mature , older , seniornotes:elder is used when precedence with respect to birth order is the point; older is used when the point is seniority with respect to age , aged , anile , antiquated , elderly , senile , venerated

noun

ancestor , ancient , forebearer , golden ager , matriarch , oldest , old fogey , oldster , patriarch , senior , senior citizen , superior , veterannotes:elder is used when precedence with respect to birth order is the point; older is used when the point is seniority with respect to age , better , anility , antiquity , doyen , doyenne , forefather , head , presbyter , primogeniture , senescence , senility , shrub , tree , veteran