01 n. A body of elders in the early Christian church.
pl.
Presbyteries ((#))
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1.
A body of elders in the early Christian church.
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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.(Presbyterian Ch.)
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3.
The Presbyterian religion of polity.[R.]
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4.
That part of the church reserved for the officiating priest.(Arch.)