Presbytery /(?)/

pl. Presbyteries

1. A body of elders in the early Christian church.
2. 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. (Presbyterian Ch.)
3. The Presbyterian religion of polity. [R.]
4. That part of the church reserved for the officiating priest. (Arch.)