Older; more aged, or existing longer. "Let the elder men among us emulate their own earlier deeds."
2.
Born before another; prior in years; senior; earlier; older; as, his elder brother died in infancy; opposed to younger, and now commonly applied to a son, daughter, child, brother, etc. "The elder shall serve the younger.""But ask of elder days, earth's vernal hour."
Elder hand (Card Playing), the hand playing, or having the right to play, first.
... the tricks, the one nearest the dealer's left having to lead. It is, however, sometimes agreed that the holder of miss for the time being shall lead, but this is hardly a desirable departure from the more regular course of leaving the lead to the elder hand, and we cannot recommend its adoption. If the leader holds the ace of trumps he must lead it, and similarly, if the ace is turned up, and he holds the king, he must start off with that card. If he has two or three trumps (of any denomination) he must lead the highest. ... — Round Games with Cards • W. H. Peel
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