Presbytery

n. pl. Presbyteries (#).
  1. A body of elders in the early Christian church.
  2. (Presbyterian Ch.) 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.
  3. The Presbyterian religion of polity.
    1. The residence of a priest or clergyman.