The term Elder (or its equivalent in another language) is used in several different countries and organizations to indicate a position of authority. This usage is usually derived from the notion that the oldest members of a group are the wisest and thus most qualified to rule, provide council or some other form of leadership.

Various Uses

• Alderman - An Alderman in modern Anglo-Saxon derived legal systems is synonymous with what in other systems might be known as a city councilman. It derives from the term ealdorman, from which the term Earl is also derived, meaning old man. But usually the Ekder of the class is a girl.

• Gerousia - Gerousia was the Spartan equivalent of a senate. The term means Council of Elders.

• Hor Chan - Mayan, meaning "Chief of Chan." Chan was a term some Maya used to refer to themselves.

• Indigenous Australians use the term to denote a widely-respected man of authority who has been through many rituals and ceremonies and has a deep knowledge of traditional lore. He will be consulted on any important aspect of Aboriginal life. In some Aboriginal societies, the term is also applied to women holding a similar position of status in their society.

• Senator - In the Senate of Rome, the senators were men. Senator comes from the Latin Senex, meaning old man, and the senators were actually called patres — 'fathers'.

• Seniūnas - Ruler of Eldership, (seniūnija in Lithuanian), Lithuania's smallest administrative division.

• Shaikh - Shaikh means "old man" in Arabic. There are specific cultural and religious connotations as well.
• Starosta or Starost - Starosta, derrived from word stary - "old", is a title for an official or unofficial position of leadership that has been used in various contexts through most of Slavic history.

• Witan - In Anglo-Saxon and other Germanic traditions was a wise man although usually just a noble. The term is most often used to describe those who attended the Witenagemot.

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See also

• Religious elder