presbyterian

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a member of a Protestant church governed by elected elders

   She was raised as a Presbyterian and later served as an elder in her congregation.

2. 2
   adj

   relating to Presbyterianism, its churches, or government by presbyters or elders

   The congregation follows a Presbyterian form of church government.

Simplified etymology

Presbyterian, recorded from the early 17th century, derives ultimately from Greek presbuteros, “elder,” a word used in the New Testament for an elder of the church or priest. The same source gave rise to presbytery and, through Latin and Old English, priest.

Formed from presbyter + -ian. Presbyter comes through Late Latin from Greek presbyteros, 'elder.' The name reflects the tradition's government by councils of ordained elders rather than by bishops; it became especially associated with Reformed churches in Scotland and elsewhere.

Topics

External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary