elder1/ˋɛldɚ; ˈeldə/adj especially BrE the elder child in a family is the older one of two【尤英】〔家庭里两个孩子中〕较年长的: Their elder son is now at university. 他们的大儿子在上大学。
elder2n [C usually plural 一般用复数] 1 be sb's elderformal to be older than someone else【正式】比某人年长: be two/ten etc years sb's elder Janet's sister is eight years her elder. 珍妮特的姐姐比她大八岁。2 sb's elders (and betters) people who are older than you and who you should respect 某人的前辈﹐某人的长辈3 a member of a social group who is important and respected because they are old〔重要和受尊敬的〕长者﹐长辈: the village elders 村里的长辈