名詞 elder:

1. a person who is older than you are
   同義詞：senior
2. any of numerous shrubs or small trees of temperate and subtropical northern hemisphere having white flowers and berrylike fruit
   同義詞：elderberry bush
3. any of various church officers

形容詞 elder:

1. used of the older of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a father from his son
   同義詞：older, sr.

1. She worked hard in emulation of her elder sister.
   她努力趕超姐姐。
2. My elder sister had a baby last month, so I am an aunt now.
   我姐姐上個月生了孩子，所以我現(xiàn)在是阿姨了。
3. He is the elder statesman par excellence.
   他是最優(yōu)秀的年長的國務(wù)活動家。
4. His elder brother got married last month.
   他的哥哥上個月結(jié)婚了。
5. He is the elder of the twins.
   他是雙胞胎中的哥哥。

elder

adj.（形容詞）
Greater than another in age or seniority.
年紀(jì)較大的：比另一人年長的或資格老的
Superior to another or others, as in rank.
資格較老的，地位較高的：比另一人或另些人地位高的，如在職銜上
n.（名詞）
An older person.
年長者
An older, influential member of a family, tribe, or community.
頭人，長輩：在一個家庭、部落或團(tuán)體里的年長且有影響力的人
One of the governing officers of a church, often having pastoral or teaching functions.
長老：教會的管事或領(lǐng)導(dǎo)之一，通常有精神上指導(dǎo)或教育的功能
Mormon Church A member of the higher order of priesthood.
【摩門教】 高級司祭

來源：
Middle English eldre
中古英語 eldre
from Old English eldra * see al- 2
源自 古英語 eldra *參見 al- 2

【引伸】
el.dership.
n.（名詞）
Elder and eldest generally apply to persons, unlikeolder and oldest, which also apply to things. Elder andeldest are used principally with reference to seniority:
Elder 和 eldest 通常指人， 不同于older 和 oldest ， 后兩者也可指物， Elder 和eldest 主要用來指資格：
例句：
elder sister;
大姐；

例句：
elder statesman;
資格老的議員，

例句：
John the Elder.
老約翰

elder
elder 2

n.（名詞）
Any of various shrubs or small trees of the genusSambucus, having clusters of small white flowers and red or purplish-black berrylike fruit.
接骨木：一種接骨木屬 的灌木或小樹，開大團(tuán)小白花，結(jié)紅色或黑紫色類似漿果的果實(shí)

來源：
Middle English eldre
中古英語 eldre
from Old English ellôrn
源自 古英語 ellôrn