elder

Definition

  • noun: a person who is older
  • noun: one living in an earlier period
  • adjective: of greater age
  • adjective: of earlier birth or greater age
  • usually plural
  • synonyms: aaronic priesthood, bible clerk, bible reader

Examples

  • ('chiefly Brit') You should respect 'your elders and betters'. [=people who are older and more important than you]

  • ('formal') He was my 'elder' by 11 months. [=he was 11 months older than I was]

  • He was told to respect his 'elders'. [=people who were older than he was]

Movie quotes

  • (..) Yeah, really, and thank you very much, Mr. Wolf. Call me Winston. WOLF: You see that, young lady? Respect. Respect for one's elders shows character. I have character. Because you are a character... doesn't mean that you have character. (..)
    1994 Pulp Fiction