presbyte

n. [ L. an elder, fr. Gr. &unr_;. See Priest. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. An elder in the early Christian church. See 2d Citation under Bishop, n., 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) One ordained to the second order in the ministry; -- called also priest. [ 1913 Webster ]

I rather term the one sort presbyter than priest. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

New presbyter is but old priest writ large. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Presbyterian Ch.) A member of a presbytery whether lay or clerical. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A Presbyterian. [ Obs. ] Hudibras. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to a presbyter or presbytery; presbyterial. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. presbyteratus: cf. F. presbytérat. ] A presbytery; also, presbytership. Heber. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A female presbyter. Bale. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. presbytéral. ] Presbyterian. “Presbyterial government.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. presbytérien. ] Of or pertaining to a presbyter, or to ecclesiastical government by presbyters; relating to those who uphold church government by presbyters; also, to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of a communion so governed. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. presbytérien. ] One who maintains the validity of ordination and government by presbyters; a member of the Presbyterian church. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reformed Presbyterians. See Cameronian. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. presbytérianisme. ] That form of church government which invests presbyters with all spiritual power, and admits no prelates over them; also, the faith and polity of the Presbyterian churches, taken collectively. [ 1913 Webster ]