elder

Universal Words adjective, noun adjective 1 [onlybeforenoun] (of people, especially two members of the same family) older: my elder brother * his elder sister 2 (the elder) used without a noun immediately after it to show who is the older of two people: the elder of their two sons 3 (the elder) (formal) used before or after sb's name to show that they are the older of two people who have the same name: the elder Pitt * Pitt the elder comparethe younger at YOUNGadj.(6) -< OLD noun 1 (elders) [pl.] people of greater age, experience and authority: Children have no respect for their elders nowadays. * the village elders (= the old and respected people of the village) * Traditions were passed on by the elders of the tribe. 2 (my, etc. elder) [sing.] (formal) a person older than me, etc: He is her elder by several years. 3 [C] an official in some Christian churches 4 [C] a small tree with white flowers with a sweet smell (elderflowers) and bunches of small black berries (elderberries) IDIOMS your elders and betters people who are older and wiser than you and whom you should respect