presbytery

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   in Presbyterian churches, a governing council of ministers and elected elders from congregations in a district

   The presbytery approved the minister's appointment after examining her credentials.

2. 2
   noun

   the group of congregations or district governed by such a council

   Representatives from every congregation in the presbytery attended the meeting.

3. 3
   noun

   a priest's residence, or the part of a church reserved for officiating clergy

   The parish priest received visitors in the presbytery beside the church.

Simplified etymology

Presbytery, recorded in late Middle English, derives ultimately from Greek presbuteros, “elder,” which was used in the New Testament for an elder of the church or priest. Presbyterian and priest come from the same source.

From Middle English presbetory and Late Latin presbyterium ('body of elders; part of a church for clergy'), from Greek presbyterion, based on presbyteros ('elder'). The institutional, territorial, residential, and architectural senses all grew from the role of church elders or priests.

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