Etymology Explorer › Latin

Where does “presbyter” come from?

presbyter (Latin) comes from Ancient Greek πρεσβύτερος, from Ancient Greek πρέσβυς, from Proto-Indo-European per-, from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós — passed , crossed.

presbyter (Latin): an elder, presbyter

Definitions

  1. an elder, presbyter

Ancestry of “presbyter”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekπρεσβύτεροςolder of two people; advanced in life, senior; a...
2Ancient Greekπρέσβυςelderly, aged; old man; elder, chief, prince
3Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
4Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

Words derived from “presbyter”

  • priest
  • Preston
  • priestess
  • Presley
  • priestcraft
  • archpriest
  • priestless
  • priestlike
  • priestling
  • presbytera
  • prester
  • priesting
  • priestship
  • priestesshood
  • priestdom
  • priestism
  • protopriest
  • priestery
  • unpriest
  • priestesslike
  • archpriesthood
  • Presleyesque
  • priestress
  • priest-king
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós →