Plural of elder; older people, especially those respected for wisdom and experience in a community or family.
From Old English 'eldra,' comparative form of 'eald' (old), from Proto-Germanic roots. The '-er' ending indicates age comparison.
The word 'elder' isn't just 'older'—it specifically means someone worthy of respect for age, which is why many indigenous cultures use 'elders' to mean authority figures, not just people who happen to live longer.
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