มหาเถร

Etymology
From, from + ; perhaps via , , ; equivalent to 🇨🇬 🇰🇲. Cognate with Modern 🇨🇬.

Noun

 * 1) senior priest.
 * 2) chief priest.

Usage notes
Historian Winai Phongsiphian (วินัย พงศ์ศรีเพียร) made a suggestion that the present term was once used as an ecclesiastical title for a senior priest having been ordained for 15 years at least, as distinguished from, referring to one that has been ordained for 10 years at least.