elders
Those who preceded
Elders are people who are older, especially those deserving respect or holding authority by virtue of their age and experience.
In many cultures and religious traditions, elders serve as leaders, advisors, or custodians of wisdom: The tribal elders gathered to settle the dispute.
The term implies not just advanced age but earned standing within a community.
Elder can also refer to certain shrubs or small trees of the genus Sambucus, whose berries are used in wines and preserves.
Ancestral family members
- progenitorsOriginal ancestors of a lineage
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
- genealogyStudy of family descent
bloodline · forefathers · predecessors · antecedents · patriarchs · matriarchs · clan · tribe
Penetrating mental acuity
- sageWisdom keeper or seasoning
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
foresight · knowledge · enlightenment · experience · judgment · acumen · perspective · counsel
Regard with honor
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
dignity · homage · tribute · filial piety · bowing · ancestor worship · obeisance · recognition
Advice for decisions
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- teachingProfession of instructing others
- coachingGuiding others to improve
- tutelageGuided instruction, oversight
advice · nurturing · apprenticeship · passing down · role model · instruction · training · grooming
Ceremonial repeated practices
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- ceremoniesFormal observances with ritual
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
- ritesFormal ceremonial acts
oral history · sacred practices · initiation · festivals · taboos · protocols · traditional medicine · keepers
Leaving the workforce permanently
- nursing homeLong-term eldercare residence
- assisted livingResidential care for elderly
- geriatricsMedicine for the elderly
- MedicareFederal senior health program
Social Security · pensioners · golden years · aging · senior center · companionship · caregiving · home care
Top-ranking leader
- headmanLeader of a community
- councilAdvisory deliberative group
- tribal leaderHead of indigenous group
- village headLeader of small community
decision-maker · chieftain · patriarch · matriarch · community leader · spokesperson · arbiter · mediator
Ordained church elder
- deaconJunior clergy member
- ministerReligious leader or serve
- sessionScheduled time for activity
- consistoryReligious judicial assembly
synod · congregation · spiritual leader · laying on hands · ordination · parish · vestry · meeting house
forebears
Ancestral family members
- progenitorsOriginal ancestors of a lineage
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
genealogy · bloodline · forefathers · predecessors · antecedents · patriarchs · matriarchs · clan · tribe · dynasty
sagacity
Penetrating mental acuity
discernment · foresight · knowledge · enlightenment · experience · judgment · acumen · perspective · counsel · understanding
respect
Regard with honor
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
honor · dignity · homage · tribute · filial piety · bowing · ancestor worship · obeisance · recognition · gratitude
guidance
Advice for decisions
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- teachingProfession of instructing others
- coachingGuiding others to improve
tutelage · advice · nurturing · apprenticeship · passing down · role model · instruction · training · grooming · sponsorship
rituals
Ceremonial repeated practices
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- ceremoniesFormal observances with ritual
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
rites · oral history · sacred practices · initiation · festivals · taboos · protocols · traditional medicine · keepers · guardians
retirement
Leaving the workforce permanently
- nursing homeLong-term eldercare residence
- assisted livingResidential care for elderly
- geriatricsMedicine for the elderly
Medicare · Social Security · pensioners · golden years · aging · senior center · companionship · caregiving · home care · mobility aids
chief
Top-ranking leader
- headmanLeader of a community
- councilAdvisory deliberative group
- tribal leaderHead of indigenous group
village head · decision-maker · chieftain · patriarch · matriarch · community leader · spokesperson · arbiter · mediator · senior member
presbyter
Ordained church elder
consistory · synod · congregation · spiritual leader · laying on hands · ordination · parish · vestry · meeting house · kirk session
- cultural heritagefolklore, traditions, customs, folk music revival, museum collections
- family historygenealogy, ancestry, ancestor, ancestors, descendant
- Ancient Societypolis, agora, symposium, patricians, plebeians
- folk historyoral history, legends, myths, tall tales, family stories
- tribal culturetribe, clan mother, common ancestry, clan loyalty, kinship ties
- tribal peopletribespeople, tribesman, clan member, clan leaders, chief
eldersinferiors
Those of lower rank
subordinates · juniors · underlings · novices · newcomers
eldersnovices
Inexperienced newcomers
beginners · neophytes · greenhorns · newcomers · apprentices
- 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
elder, elderly, eldest, elderberry, eldercare, elderflower, elderliness, elderberries, elderflowers