資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Presbytery \Pres"by*ter*y\, n.; pl. {Presbyteries}. [L.
presbyterium, Gr. ?. See {Presbyter}, and cf.
{Presbyterium}.]
1. A body of elders in the early Christian church.
2. (Presbyterian Ch.) A judicatory consisting of all the
ministers within a certain district, and one layman, who
is a ruling elder, from each parish or church,
commissioned to represent the church in conjunction with
the pastor. This body has a general jurisdiction over the
churches under its care, and next below the provincial
synod in authority.
3. The Presbyterian religion of polity. [R.] --Tatler.
4.
(a) (Arch.) That part of the church reserved for the
officiating priest.
(b) The residence of a priest or clergyman. --Gwilt.