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Elder vs Xeer - What's the difference?

elder | xeer |

As nouns the difference between elder and xeer

is that elder is an older person or an older member, usually a leader, of some community while xeer is the traditional legal system of Somalia, believed to predate Islam, in which elders serve as mediators and people are responsible for the actions of their families.

As an adjective elder

is comparative of old: older, greater than another in age or seniority.

As a proper noun Elder

is {{surname|lang=en}.

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

    xeer

    English

    Noun

    (-) (wikipedia xeer)
  • The traditional legal system of Somalia, believed to predate Islam, in which elders serve as mediators and people are responsible for the actions of their families.
  • * 1977 , David D Laitin, Politics, language, and thought: the Somali experience?
    • It arranges for settlement of collective debts, discusses xeer dealings with central authorities, maintains the group wells, and protects grazing areas.
  • * 2005 , Walter Dostal, Wolfgang Kraus, Shattering tradition: custom, law and the individual in the Muslim Mediterranean
    • In rural areas, there is still confusion between xeer and shari'a.
  • * 2007 , Lars Buur, Helene Maria Kyed, State recognition and democratization in Sub-Saharan Africa
    • The key feature of the xeer is its common law character...