presbytery

noun

Etymology: 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.

1. The home of a Roman Catholic parish priest.

   “Near-synonyms: curatage, parsonage, vicarage”

2. A section of a church reserved for the clergy, containing the altar.

   “Near-synonym: chancel (broadly synonymous)”

3. Presbyters collectively; the body of presbyters of a congregation.

   “Meronym: presbyter”

4. The district (jurisdiction) of those presbyters.

   “Near-synonyms: diocese, parish”

5. A body of elders in the early Christian church.