What is "elder hand"

Elder \Eld"er\, a. [AS. yldra, compar. of eald old. See Old.]

1. Older; more aged, or existing longer.

   Let the elder men among us emulate their own earlier deeds.
   --Jowett (Thucyd. )

2. Born before another; prior in years; senior; earlier; older; as, his elder brother died in infancy; -- opposed to younger, and now commonly applied to a son, daughter, child, brother, etc.

   The elder shall serve the younger.
   --Gen. xxv. 2

3. But ask of elder days, earth's vernal hour.
   --Keble.

   Elder hand (Card Playing), the hand playing, or having the right to play, first.
   --Hoyle.

n. the card player on the dealer's left [syn: eldest hand]