Elder (administrative title)
- Elder (administrative title)
The term Elder (or its equivalent in another language) is used in several different countries and organizations to indicate a position of authority. This usage is usually derived from the notion that the oldest members of a group are the wisest and thus most qualified to rule, provide council or some other form of leadership.
Various Uses
* Alderman - An Alderman in modern Anglo-Saxon derived legal systems is synonymous with what in other systems might be known as a city councilman. It derives from the term "ealdorman", from which the term "Earl" is also derived, meaning old man.
* Gerousia - Gerousia was the Spartan equivalent of a senate. The term means "Council of Elders".
* Hor Chan - Mayan, meaning "Chief of Chan." Chan was a term some Maya used to refer to themselves.
* Indigenous Australians use the termhuh to denote a widely-respected man of authority who has been through many rituals and ceremonies and has a deep knowledge of traditional lore. He will be consulted on any important aspect of Aboriginal life. In some Aboriginal societies, the term is also applied to women holding a similar position of status in their society.
* Senator - In the Senate of Rome, the senators were men. "Senator" comes from the Latin root "sen-" "old" ("senex" "old man"), and the senators were actually called "patres" — 'fathers'.
* Seniūnas - Ruler of Eldership, (seniūnija in Lithuanian), Lithuania's smallest administrative division.
* Shaikh - Shaikh means "old man" in Arabic. There are specific cultural and religious connotations as well.
* Starosta or Starost - Starosta, derrived from word "stary" - "old", is a title for an official or unofficial position of leadership that has been used in various contexts through most of Slavic history (see also Starets).
* Vanem - Ancient ruler of an Estonian parish and county. From 1920-1937, Estonian head of state was called "Riigivanem", meaning "Elder of State".
* Witan - In Anglo-Saxon and other Germanic traditions was a "wise man" although usually just a noble. The term is most often used to describe those who attended the Witenagemot.
See also
* Religious elder
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Elder — is a surname. It may also refer to older people or to:In religion: * Elder (administrative title), position of authority * Elder (Christianity), person valued for his wisdom who accordingly holds a particular position of responsibility in a… … Wikipedia
Elder High School — Infobox School name = Elder High School |motto = AltioraLatin: The Higher Things .] cite news|url=http://www.elderhs.org/About/CoatofArms/tabid/72/Default.aspx|title=The Elder Coat of Arms|work=The Purple Quill|publisher=Elder High… … Wikipedia
Administrative divisions of Lithuania — This article is about the administrative divisions of Lithuania.Grand Duchy of Lithuania (1251–1569)In the earliest stages of the formation of the Lithuanian state, there had been several lands (Lithuanian: plural – žemės , singular – žemė ),… … Wikipedia
Cato the Elder — Marcus Porcius Cato Maior, Cato the Elder Marcus Porcius Cato[1] (234 BC, Tusculum – 149 BC) was a Roman statesman, commonly referred to as Censorius (the Censor), Sapiens (the Wise), Priscus (the Ancient), or Major, Cato the El … Wikipedia
Henry Vane the Elder — Sir Henry Vane, the elder (1589 1655), was an English politician and secretary of state.Origins and educationVane was born on 18 February 1589, the eldest son of Henry Vane or Fane of Hadlow, Kent, by his second wife, Margaret, daughter of Roger… … Wikipedia
Protector (title) — For other uses, see Protector (disambiguation). Protector, sometimes spelled protecter, is used as a title or part of various historical titles of heads of state and others in authority. The word literally means one who protects. Contents 1… … Wikipedia
Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church — Part of the series on Copts Culture … Wikipedia
United Kingdom — a kingdom in NW Europe, consisting of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: formerly comprising Great Britain and Ireland 1801 1922. 58,610,182; 94,242 sq. mi. (244,100 sq. km). Cap.: London. Abbr.: U.K. Official name, United Kingdom of Great… … Universalium
ancient Rome — ▪ ancient state, Europe, Africa, and Asia Introduction the state centred on the city of Rome. This article discusses the period from the founding of the city and the regal period, which began in 753 BC, through the events leading to the… … Universalium
Germany — /jerr meuh nee/, n. a republic in central Europe: after World War II divided into four zones, British, French, U.S., and Soviet, and in 1949 into East Germany and West Germany; East and West Germany were reunited in 1990. 84,068,216; 137,852 sq.… … Universalium
