Eld·er a.
 1. Older; more aged, or existing longer.
    Let the elder men among us emulate their own earlier deeds.   --Jowett (Thucyd. )
 2. Born before another; prior in years; senior; earlier; older; as, his elder brother died in infancy; -- opposed to younger, and now commonly applied to a son, daughter, child, brother, etc.
    The elder shall serve the younger.   --Gen. xxv. 23.
    But ask of elder days, earth's vernal hour.   --Keble.
 Elder hand Card Playing, the hand playing, or having the right to play, first.


 elder hand
      n : the card player on the dealer's left [syn: eldest hand]