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The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.

WordNet
elder hand

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