presbytery
n. countablen. a group of priests or ministers who manage a church or a group of churches. It can also be the building where these leaders live or meet.
n. a body of priests or ministers who exercise authority over a specific church or group of churches. Also refers to the residence or meeting place of such a group.
The presbytery met to discuss the new church rules.
After the service, the local presbytery gathered in the hall to review the annual budget.
The historical presbytery still stands as a testament to the architectural styles of the eighteenth century, serving as both a residence and a center for ecclesiastical administration.
From Middle English presbetory, presbytory (“part of church reserved for clergy”), from Late Latin presbyterium (“group of presbyters, part of church reserved for clergy”), from Ancient Greek πρεσβῠτέρῐον (presbŭtérĭon, “group of presbyters”), from πρεσβῠ́τερος (presbŭ́teros, “elder, priest”) + -ῐον (-ĭon). By surface analysis, presbyter + -y. Doublet of presbyterium.