noun pl. presbyteries
- Presbyterian Ch.
- a body of presbyters; specif., an ecclesiastical court and governing body consisting of the minister and representative elders from each church in a district
- the district of such a court
- the part of a church reserved for the officiating clergy
- R.C.Ch., Now Rare a priest's house; rectory
Origin:
ME presbetory < OFr presbiterie < LL(Ec) presbyterium, council of elders < Gr(Ec) presbyterion < Gr presbyteros, elder: see priest