Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Elder \Eld"er\, a. [AS. yldra, compar. of eald old. See {Old}.]
   1. Older; more aged, or existing longer.

            Let the elder men among us emulate their own earlier
            deeds.                                --Jowett
                                                  (Thucyd. )

   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.    --Gen. xxv.
                                                  23.

            But ask of elder days, earth's vernal hour. --Keble.

   {Elder hand} (Card Playing), the hand playing, or having the
      right to play, first. --Hoyle.

Source : WordNet®

elder hand
     n : the card player on the dealer's left [syn: {eldest hand}]