ˈhōrē, ˈhȯr-, -ri adjective
( usually -er/-est )
1.
a. : gray or white ; specifically : gray or white with age
nodded his hoary head
b.
(1) : having hair that is gray or white with age
a hoary old man
(2) : canescent 2
(3) of a plant : having grayish or whitish leaves
2.
a.
(1) : very old : ancient
hoary legends
especially : impressively or venerably old
the hoary walls of the castle
the hoary figure of the prophet
(2) : so old or so familiar as to be without freshness and sparkle
hoary jokes
or devoid of interest or ability to stimulate
hoary clichés
hoary half-truths
: trite , stale , hackneyed
b. : far removed in time past : remote
hoary antiquity