Presbyterian — 1640, as name of Scottish church governed by elders (as opposed to bishops), from presbyter an elder in a church (1590s), from L.L. presbyter an elder, from Gk. presbyteros an elder, also an adj. meaning older, comparative of presbys old,… … Etymology dictionary
Presbyterian — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ relating to a Protestant Church or denomination governed by elders all of equal rank. ► NOUN ▪ a member of a Presbyterian Church. DERIVATIVES Presbyterianism noun … English terms dictionary
presbyterian — [prez΄bi tir′ē ən, pres΄bi tir′ē ən] adj. [< LL(Ec) presbyterium (see PRESBYTERY) + AN] 1. having to do with church government by presbyters 2. [P ] designating or of a church of a traditionally Calvinistic Protestant denomination governed by… … English World dictionary
Presbyterian — Pres by*te ri*an, a. [Cf. F. presbyt[ e]rien.] Of or pertaining to a presbyter, or to ecclesiastical government by presbyters; relating to those who uphold church government by presbyters; also, to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
presbyterian — /prez bi tear ee euhn, pres /, adj. 1. pertaining to or based on the principle of ecclesiastical government by presbyters or presbyteries. 2. (cap.) designating or pertaining to various churches having this form of government and professing more… … Universalium
Presbyterian — [[t]pre̱zbɪtɪ͟əriən[/t]] Presbyterians 1) ADJ Presbyterian means belonging or relating to a Protestant church, found especially in Scotland or the United States, which is governed by a body of official people all of equal rank. ...a Presbyterian… … English dictionary
Presbyterian — UK [ˌprezbɪˈtɪərɪən] / US [ˌprezbɪˈtɪrɪən] noun [countable] Word forms Presbyterian : singular Presbyterian plural Presbyterians a member of a Christian church that follows the basic ideas of John Calvin Derived words: Presbyterian UK / US… … English dictionary
Presbyterian — I. noun Date: 1640 a member of a Presbyterian church II. adjective Date: 1641 1. often not capitalized characterized by a graded system of representative ecclesiastical bodies (as presbyteries) exercising legislative and judicial powers 2. of,… … New Collegiate Dictionary
presbyterian — Pres·by·te·ri·an || ‚prezbɪ tɪərɪən n. one who belongs to the Presbyterian Church (sect of Christianity) adj. of the Presbyterian Church (sect of Christianity) … English contemporary dictionary
Presbyterian — [ˌprɛzbɪ tɪərɪən] adjective relating to or denoting a Protestant Church or denomination governed by elders all of equal rank. noun a member of a Presbyterian Church. ↘an advocate of the Presbyterian system. Derivatives Presbyterianism noun Origin … English new terms dictionary