presbytery

(prezbə ter′ē, pres-)

noun pl. presbyteries

  1. 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
  2. the part of a church reserved for the officiating clergy
  3. 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
  1. a. A court composed of Presbyterian Church ministers and representative elders of a particular locality.
    b. The district represented by this court.
  2. Presbyters considered as a group.
  3. Government of a church by presbyters.
  4. The section of a church reserved for the clergy.
  5. 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

.

Learn more about presbytery

link/cite print suggestion box