Eld″er (?), a. [AS. yldra, compar. of eald old. See Old.] 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. Hoyle.