Presbytery

Part of speech: noun (n.)

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

2. 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.

4. The residence of a priest or clergyman. Gwilt.