town elder
Community's senior authority
A town elder is a senior member of a community who holds informal or formal authority based on age, experience, and accumulated wisdom.
The term suggests someone whose opinions carry weight in local matters—disputes, traditions, important decisions.
In small or traditional communities, town elders may form a council: The town elders gathered to discuss the water rights.
The phrase can also be used loosely or humorously for any longtime resident who knows everyone's business.
- villageSmall rural community
- village councilLocal governing body
- councilAdvisory deliberative group
- patriarchMale head of family
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
gray · chief · respected · seat of honor · tradition · assembly · leader · beard · sage · authority · decision · meeting · ancient · community · headman · community leader · tribal · tribal chief
town elderyouth
State of being immature
newcomer · young person · youngster · child · adolescent
town elderpariah
Rejected, shunned person
exile · untouchable · outsider · newcomer · social outcast
town, elder, towns, township, townships, townspeople, townsman, townsmen, hometown