The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Elder \Eld"er\, a. [AS. yldra, compar. of eald old. See Old.]
   1. Older; more aged, or existing longer.
      [1913 Webster]

            Let the elder men among us emulate their own earlier
            deeds.                                --Jowett
                                                  (Thucyd. )
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

            The elder shall serve the younger.    --Gen. xxv.
                                                  23.
      [1913 Webster]

            But ask of elder days, earth's vernal hour. --Keble.
      [1913 Webster]

   Elder hand (Card Playing), the hand playing, or having the
      right to play, first. --Hoyle.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

elder hand
    n 1: the card player on the dealer's left [syn: eldest hand,
         elder hand]