WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Pres"by*ter
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. an elder, fr. Gr. Priest.]
Definition : 1. An elder in the early Christian church. See 2d Citation under Bishop, n., 1.

2. (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A member of a presbytery whether lay or clerical.

4. A Presbyterian. [Obs.] Hudibras.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913