presbytery

From Middle English presbetory, presbytory (“part of church reserved for clergy”), from Late Latin presbyterium (“group of presbyters, part of church reserved for clergy”), from Ancient Greek πρεσβῠτέρῐον (presbŭtérĭon, “group of presbyters”), from πρεσβῠ́τερος (presbŭ́teros, “elder, priest”) + -ῐον (-ĭon).^[1] Doublet of presbyterium.

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɹɛz.bɪ.tɛɹ.i/

• Audio:

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presbytery (plural presbyteries)

1. The home of a Roman Catholic parish priest.

   Synonym: rectory

2. A body of elders in the early Christian church.
3. A chancel; a section of the church reserved for the clergy.
4. Presbyters collectively; the body of presbyters of a congregation.
5. The district (jurisdiction) of those presbyters.

• (architecture): presbyterium

• Presbyterian