[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/elder/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [E](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/e/) / elder # elder adjective (elder, eldest); noun (an elder, elders; elder tree) «elder» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Elder means older, often said of a brother or sister: «my elder sister». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/#m1) 2. An elder is an older person, often one who is respected and wise in a family or group. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/#m2) 3. An elder is a small tree with white flowers and dark berries (elderberries). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/#m3) ### In the lessons compares ages; «elder by 3 years» means the age difference is 3; in families: the elder child, the eldest of three; in many cultures, including First Nations, Aboriginal and Maori communities, elders are respected for their knowledge; in manners: be polite to your elders; phrases: «elder brother», «eldest son», «respect your elders» ### Examples - Her elder brother is 12. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/#x1) - His elder sister is 4 years older than him. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/#x2) - The elder sister is twice as old as the younger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/#x3) - How old is the elder child? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/#x4) - The village elders met to decide. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/#x5) - Be polite to your elders. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/#x6) - She is the eldest of four children. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/#x7) - We made jam from elderberries. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/#x8) - The elder brother was very angry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/#x9) ### Note A comparison of ages: elder = younger + difference. Trap: the age difference stays the same as years pass. Use «elder/eldest» for family before a noun («my elder sister»); use «older» with «than» («she is older than me», not «elder than»). ## In Jewish tradition An elder is an older man chosen as a leader and judge of the people or a city. The elders of Israel helped Moses and ruled in courts at the city gate. **Interpretation.** Tradition sees the elders as the start of Jewish leadership and courts. The seventy elders who helped Moses are linked to the later Sanhedrin, the great court. ### Examples - And Moses withdrew into the camp, he and the elders of Israel. (Torah NUM.11.30, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/elder/#x1) - And the elders of that city shall take the man and chastise him. (Torah DEU.22.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/elder/#x2) - And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. (Torah EXO.4.29, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/elder/#x3) - And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. (Prophets 2SA.17.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/elder/#x4) - Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. (Writings 1CH.21.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/elder/#x5) - To bind his princes at his pleasure, and teach his elders wisdom. (Writings PSA.105.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/elder/#x6) ### Note A comparison of ages: elder = younger + difference. Trap: the age difference stays the same as years pass. Use «elder/eldest» for family before a noun («my elder sister»); use «older» with «than» («she is older than me», not «elder than»). ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «elder» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elder/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«elder» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/elder.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «elder» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/elder/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«elder» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/elder.html) on Mova free.