OLD

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Old English eald; akin to Old High German alt ~, Latin alere to nourish, alescere to grow, altus high, deep Date: before 12th century 1. dating from the remote past ; ancient , persisting from an earlier time , of long standing , 2. distinguished from an object of the same kind by being of an earlier date , belonging to an early period in the development of a language or literature , having existed for a specified period of time , of, relating to, or originating in a past era , 5. advanced in years or age , showing the characteristics of age , experienced , former , 8. showing the effects of time or use ; worn , aged , no longer in use ; discarded , of a grayish or dusty color , tiresome , 9. long familiar , b. — used as an intensive c. — used to express an attitude of affection or amusement Synonyms: see: ~ II. noun Date: 13th century one of a specified age, ~ or earlier time