elder
Venerable community figure
Elder means older, used when comparing ages within a family or group: my elder brother, the elder of the two sisters.
As a noun, an elder is someone older and often wiser—elders command respect in many cultures and hold formal authority in some churches and tribal communities.
The elder tree or elderberry is unrelated, named for a different root entirely.
Parent once removed
- grandmotherMother of a parent
- grandfatherFather's or mother's father
- patriarchMale head of family
- matriarchFemale family leader
ancestor · forebear · kinship · lineage · generation · firstborn · sibling · relative
Higher in rank
- geriatricRelating to elderly care
- octogenarianPerson in ninth decade
- nonagenarianPerson aged ninety-plus
- centenarianPerson over ninety-nine
septuagenarian · sexagenarian · retiree · pensioner · gray-haired · silver-haired · aging · longevity
Profound admiring respect
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
wisdom · dignity · homage · tribute · obeisance · respect · courtesy · admiration
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
- sagacityPenetrating mental acuity
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- knowledgeUnderstood facts and skills
discernment · judgment · counsel · foresight · experience · mentor · guidance · enlightenment
Ordained church elder
- clergyOrdained religious officials collectively
- priestOne who performs sacraments
- deaconJunior clergy member
- bishopDiocesan clergy head
pastor · minister · chaplain · preacher · rabbi · imam · shaman · officiant
Small woody plant
- deciduousSheds foliage seasonally
- woodlandForested land area
- hedgerowLinear shrub boundary
- barkSharp canine vocalization
branch · foliage · blossom · native · thicket · understory · shade-tolerant · ornamental
Warmly friendly manner
- syrupThick sugar liquid
- wineFermented grape beverage
- jamCooked fruit spread
- jellyFruit spread, no seeds
tincture · foraging · harvest · wildcrafting · medicinal · immune · antioxidant · flavonoid
Top-ranking leader
- headmanLeader of a community
- councilmanElected municipal representative
- statesmanRespected political leader
- advisorOne who gives guidance
chieftain · dignitary · lawgiver · arbitrator · mediator · decision-maker · authority · overseer
grandparent
Parent once removed
- grandmotherMother of a parent
- grandfatherFather's or mother's father
- patriarchMale head of family
matriarch · ancestor · forebear · kinship · lineage · generation · firstborn · sibling · relative · senior
senior
Higher in rank
- geriatricRelating to elderly care
- octogenarianPerson in ninth decade
- nonagenarianPerson aged ninety-plus
centenarian · septuagenarian · sexagenarian · retiree · pensioner · gray-haired · silver-haired · aging · longevity · senescence
veneration
Profound admiring respect
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
honor · wisdom · dignity · homage · tribute · obeisance · respect · courtesy · admiration · acknowledgment
sage
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
knowledge · discernment · judgment · counsel · foresight · experience · mentor · guidance · enlightenment · acumen
presbyter
Ordained church elder
- clergyOrdained religious officials collectively
- priestOne who performs sacraments
- deaconJunior clergy member
bishop · pastor · minister · chaplain · preacher · rabbi · imam · shaman · officiant · ordained
shrub
Small woody plant
bark · branch · foliage · blossom · native · thicket · understory · shade-tolerant · ornamental · wildlife
cordial
Warmly friendly manner
jelly · tincture · foraging · harvest · wildcrafting · medicinal · immune · antioxidant · flavonoid · remedy
chief
Top-ranking leader
- headmanLeader of a community
- councilmanElected municipal representative
- statesmanRespected political leader
advisor · chieftain · dignitary · lawgiver · arbitrator · mediator · decision-maker · authority · overseer · custodian
- community leadersheadwoman, civic leader, community organizer, headman, council member
- old peopleaged, ancient, geriatric, retired, grey-haired
- older adultsretiree, grandparent, senior, pensioner
- village lifevillage, hamlet, thatched roofs, chalet, folk tales
- wise elderssage, patriarch, matriarch, mentor, guru
- ancient wisdomVedas, proverb, Upanishads, maxim, Epicureanism
- community elderRevered senior community member
- the elderlyAged members of society
- elder careAssistance for seniors
- eldest sonOldest male offspring
- eldest childOldest among siblings
- village eldersSenior community authorities
elderly, eldest, elders, elderberry, eldercare, elderflower, elderliness, elderberries, elderflowers