presbytery

(prez′bə ter′ē, pres′-)

Presbyterian Ch.
1. a body of presbyters; specif., an ecclesiastical court and governing body consisting of the minister and representative elders from each church in a district
2. 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

See presbytery in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. pres·by·ter·ies

a. A court composed of Presbyterian Church ministers and representative elders of a particular locality.
b. The district represented by this court.
Presbyters considered as a group.
Government of a church by presbyters.
The section of a church reserved for the clergy.
Roman Catholic Church The residence of a priest.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English presbetory, priests' bench

Origin: , from Late Latin presbyterium, council of elders

Origin: , from Greek presbuterion

Origin: , from presbuteros, elder; see presbyter

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