presbytery

[ prez-bi-ter-ee, pres- ]
/ ˈprɛz bɪˌtɛr i, ˈprɛs- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR presbytery ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural pres·by·ter·ies.

a body of presbyters or elders.
(in Presbyterian churches) an ecclesiastical court consisting of all the ministers and one or two presbyters from each congregation in a district.
the churches under the jurisdiction of a presbytery.
the part of a church appropriated to the clergy.
Roman Catholic Church. a rectory.

Origin of presbytery

1375–1425; late Middle English presbetory, presbitory priests' bench, for Late Latin presbyterium group of elders < Greek presbytérion. See presbyter, -y3

Words nearby presbytery

presbyterate, presbyterial, presbyterian, presbyterian church, presbyterianism, presbytery, preschool, preschooler, preschooling, prescience, prescient

Words related to presbytery

parsonage, benefice, vicarage, manse

Example sentences from the Web for presbytery

British Dictionary definitions for presbytery

presbytery
/ (ˈprɛzbɪtərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun plural -teries

Presbyterian Church
  1. a local Church court composed of ministers and elders
  2. the congregations or churches within the jurisdiction of any such court
the part of a cathedral or church east of the choir, in which the main altar is situated; sanctuary
presbyters or elders collectively
government of a church by presbyters or elders
RC Church the residence of a parish priest

Word Origin for presbytery

C15: from Old French presbiterie, from Church Latin presbyterium, from Greek presbyterion; see presbyter