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presbytery

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noun pres·by·tery \ ˈprez-bə-ˌter-ē , ˈpres- , -bə-trē \

Definition of presbytery

plural presbyteries
1 :the part of a church reserved for the officiating clergy
2 :a ruling body in presbyterian churches consisting of the ministers and representative elders from congregations within a district
3 :the jurisdiction of a presbytery
4 :the house of a Roman Catholic parish priest

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Origin and Etymology of presbytery

Middle English & Late Latin; Middle English presbytory part of church reserved for clergy, from Late Latin presbyterium group of presbyters, part of church reserved for clergy, from Greek presbyterion group of presbyters, from presbyteros elder, priest

PRESBYTERY Defined for English Language Learners

presbytery

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noun

Definition of presbytery for English Language Learners

  • : a group of ministers and elders who are the leaders of the Presbyterian churches in a particular area

  • : the house where a Roman Catholic priest lives

Learn More about presbytery

  1. See words that rhyme with presbytery Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about presbytery

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