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]