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Elder vs Superior - What's the difference?

elder | superior |

As a proper noun elder

is .

As an adjective superior is

higher in quality.

As a noun superior is

a person of higher rank or quality.

elder

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) eldra, from (etyl) . The vowel change from a'' to ''e'' triggered by the following ''i is called .

Adjective

(head)
  • Comparative of old: older, greater than another in age or seniority.
  • * The elder' of the two was also an ' elder statesman
  • * {{quote-book, year=1913, author=
  • , title=Lord Stranleigh Abroad , chapter=5 citation , passage=She removed Stranleigh’s coat with a dexterity that aroused his imagination. The elder woman returned with dressings and a sponge, which she placed on a chair.}}
    Usage notes
    The normal comparative of old'' is (m). The irregular form (m) is sometimes used with family members, but otherwise rare (except in fixed expressions such as ''elder statesman''). ''Elder'' is generally limited to attributive position (my elder brother) and does not occur in predicative position (*''my brother is elder ).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An older person or an older member, usually a leader, of some community.
  • We were presented to the village elder .
  • One who is older than another.
  • Respect your elders .
  • One who lived at an earlier period; a predecessor.
  • * L'Estrange
  • Carry your head as your elders have done.
  • An officer of a church, sometimes having teaching responsibilities.
  • A clergyman authorized to administer all the sacraments.
  • a travelling elder
  • (US, Mormonism) One ordained to the lowest office in the .
  • After being a member of the Church for a while, Bill was ordained to the office of elder .
    Jack had been an elder for only a few days when he received a new calling.
  • (US, Mormonism) Male missionary, title for a male missionary; title for a .
  • The elders are coming over for dinner tonight.
    One of the long-time leaders in the Church is Elder Packer.
  • (paganism, and, Heathenry) A pagan or Heathen priest or priestess.
  • Derived terms
    * elderdom * elderhood * elderly * eldership * elder statesman * elder stateswoman

    Etymology 2

    (wikipedia elder) (Sambucus) (Sambucus) From (etyl)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A small tree, Sambucus nigra , having white flowers in a cluster, and edible purple berries
  • Any of the other species of the genus Sambucus : small trees, shrubs or herbaceous perennials with red, purple, or white/yellow berries (some of which are poisonous).
  • Derived terms
    * box elder * dwarf elder * elderberry * marsh elder

    superior

    English

    Alternative forms

    * superiour (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Higher in quality.
  • Higher in rank.
  • * , chapter=12
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=There were many wooden chairs for the bulk of his visitors, and two wicker armchairs with red cloth cushions for superior people. From the packing-cases had emerged some Indian clubs, […], and all these articles […] made a scattered and untidy decoration that Mrs. Clough assiduously dusted and greatly cherished.}}
  • More comprehensive, as a term in classification.
  • A genus is superior to a species.
  • Located above.
  • the superior''' jaw; the '''superior part of an image
  • # (botany) Above the ovary; said of parts of the flower which, although normally below the ovary, adhere to it, and so appear to originate from its upper part; also of an ovary when the other floral organs are plainly below it in position, and free from it.
  • # (botany) Belonging to the part of an axillary flower which is toward the main stem; posterior.
  • # (botany) Pointing toward the apex of the fruit; ascending; said of the radicle.
  • # (typography) Printed in superscript.
  • a superior figure or letter
  • Greater or better than average; extraordinary.
  • Beyond the power or influence of; too great or firm to be subdued or affected by; with to .
  • * Spectator
  • There is not in earth a spectacle more worthy than a great man superior to his sufferings.

    Usage notes

    * Superior and inferior are generally followed by to; than is sometimes used mistakenly.

    Antonyms

    * (l)

    Coordinate terms

    *

    Derived terms

    * superiorness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A person of higher rank or quality.
  • The senior person in a monastic community.