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What is the difference between elder and younger?

elder | younger | Antonyms |

Younger is a antonym of elder.



As adjectives the difference between elder and younger

is that elder is comparative of old: older, greater than another in age or seniority while younger is comparative of young.

As nouns the difference between elder and younger

is that elder is an older person or an older member, usually a leader, of some community while younger is one who is younger than another.

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

    younger

    English

    Adjective

    (head)
  • (young)
    • Our neighbor spent his younger years in England.
    Reading this book takes me back to my younger days.

    Antonyms

    * elder * older

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (rare) One who is younger than another.
  • * 1882 , L. H. Apaque, A baker's dozen (page 102)
    • Hugh and Charlie also played fairly well, so perhaps it was not wonderful that James, who had always regarded cricket as a childish waste of time, felt rather at a loss, and did not care to display his inferiority to his youngers .

    Antonyms

    * elder