elderとは

意味・読み方・使い方

語源 1

From Middle English eldre, from 古期英語 eldra, yldra, ieldra, from Proto-Germanic *alþizô. The vowel change from a to e triggered by the following i is called umlaut or I-mutation.

形容詞

elder

1. comparative degree of old: older, greater than another in age or seniority.

   The elder of the two was also an elder statesman

   • 1913, Robert Barr, chapter 5, in Lord Stranleigh Abroad‎^[2]:

     She removed Stranleigh’s coat with a dexterity that aroused his imagination. The elder woman returned with dressings and a sponge, which she placed on a chair.

使用する際の注意点

• The normal comparative of old is older. The irregular form elder is sometimes used with family members, but is otherwise rare (except in fixed expressions such as elder statesman). Elder is generally limited to attributive position (my elder brother) and does not occur in predicative position (*my brother is elder). This also implies that elder cannot be followed by than.^[1]

同意語

• geriatric, long in the tooth, on in years; see also Thesaurus:elderly

名詞

elder (複数形 elders)

1. An older person or an older member, usually a leader, of some community.

   We were presented to the village elder.

2. One who is older than another.

   Respect your elders.

3. One who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.
   • 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], OCLC 228727523:

     Carry your Head […] as your Elders have done.

4. An officer of a church, sometimes having teaching responsibilities.
5. A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments.

   a travelling elder

6. (US, Mormonism) One ordained to the lowest office in the Melchizedek priesthood.

   After being a member of the Church for a while, Bill was ordained to the office of elder.

   Jack had been an elder for only a few days when he received a new calling.

7. (US, Mormonism) Male missionary.

   The elders are coming over for dinner tonight.

8. (Mormonism, often capitalized) Title for a male missionary; title for a general authority.

   One of the long-time leaders in the Church is Elder Packer.

9. (Germanic paganism) A pagan or Heathen priest or priestess.

同意語

• (older person): eld, mzee, senior; see also Thesaurus:old person
• (one who lived at an earlier period): antecessor, forerunner; see also Thesaurus:predecessor

動詞

elder (三人称単数 現在形 elders, 現在分詞 eldering, 過去形および過去分詞形 eldered)

1. (Quakerism) To admonish or reprove for improper conduct by the elders of the meeting.

   I was eldered for directly responding to someone else's message in meeting for worship.

派生語

語源 2

Sambucus nigra

From Middle English eldre, eller, from 古期英語 ellærn, from Proto-Germanic *elernaz, *eldernaz (confer Low German Elhorn, Elloorn).

名詞

elder (複数形 elders)

2. A small tree, Sambucus nigra, having white flowers in a cluster, and edible purple berries
4. Any of the other species of the genus Sambucus: small trees, shrubs or herbaceous perennials with red, purple, or white/yellow berries (some of which are poisonous).

同意語

• (Sambucus nigra): black elder

派生語

参考

• alder (Alnus spp.)

語源 3

Perhaps from Proto-Germanic *aliþro (“udder”), from *alaną (“to nourish”). Cognate with dialectal Dutch elder (“udder”).^[2]

名詞

elder

1. A cow's udder, especially used as food.

参照

アナグラム

• Edler