1elder /ˈɛldɚ/ adjective
always used before a noun : of greater age : older ◊Elder is usually used to describe people who are members of the same family.
▪ my elder brother/sister [=my brother/sister who is older than I am] ▪ my elder son/daughter [=the older one of my two sons/daughters]
▪ my elder brother/sister [=my brother/sister who is older than I am] ▪ my elder son/daughter [=the older one of my two sons/daughters]
the elder 1 — used in comparing the ages of two people who are members of the same family ▪ He's the elder of her two brothers. 2 — used to refer to the older of two people (such as a father and son) who have the same name ▪ Pliny the Elder and his nephew Pliny the Younger
