Pres"by*ter (?), n. [L. an elder, fr.
Gr. ?. See Priest.]
1. An elder in the early Christian church. See
2d Citation under Bishop, n., 1.
2. (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) One
ordained to the second order in the ministry; -- called also
priest.
I rather term the one sort presbyter than
priest.
Hooker.
New presbyter is but old priest writ
large.
Milton.
3. (Presbyterian Ch.) A member of a
presbytery whether lay or clerical.
4. A Presbyterian. [Obs.]
Hudibras.