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.

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.

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