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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Ruling elder

Elder \Eld"er\, n. [AS. ealdor an elder, prince, fr. eald old. See Old, and cf. Elder, a., Alderman.]

  1. One who is older; a superior in age; a senior.
    --1 Tim. v. 1.

  2. An aged person; one who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.

    Carry your head as your elders have done.
    --L'Estrange.

  3. A person who, on account of his age, occupies the office of ruler or judge; hence, a person occupying any office appropriate to such as have the experience and dignity which age confers; as, the elders of Israel; the elders of the synagogue; the elders in the apostolic church.

    Note: In the modern Presbyterian churches, elders are lay officers who, with the minister, compose the church session, with authority to inspect and regulate matters of religion and discipline. In some churches, pastors or clergymen are called elders, or presbyters.

  4. (M. E. Ch.) A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments; as, a traveling elder.

    Presiding elder (Meth. Ch.), an elder commissioned by a bishop to have the oversight of the churches and preachers in a certain district.

    Ruling elder, a lay presbyter or member of a Presbyterian church session.
    --Schaff.

Usage examples of "ruling elder".

He explained how Elder Ampris, superior to Lars Dahl, student in the Conservatory and as a ruling Elder of the Optherian Council, had approached him, citing the dilemma about Killashandra's true identity and the request to wound her, resolving the quandary.