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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Presbyteries

Presbytery \Pres"by*ter*y\, n.; pl. Presbyteries. [L. presbyterium, Gr. ?. See Presbyter, and cf. Presbyterium.]

  1. A body of elders in the early Christian church.

  2. (Presbyterian Ch.) A judicatory consisting of all the ministers within a certain district, and one layman, who is a ruling elder, from each parish or church, commissioned to represent the church in conjunction with the pastor. This body has a general jurisdiction over the churches under its care, and next below the provincial synod in authority.

  3. The Presbyterian religion of polity. [R.]
    --Tatler.

    1. (Arch.) That part of the church reserved for the officiating priest.

    2. The residence of a priest or clergyman.
      --Gwilt.

Wiktionary
presbyteries

n. (plural of presbytery English)