— oldness , n.
/ohld/ , adj., older, oldest or elder, eldest , n.
adj.
1. far advanced in the years of one's or its life: an old man; an old horse; an old tree.
2. of or pertaining to the latter part of the life or term of existence of a person or thing: old age.
3. as if or appearing to be far advanced in years: Worry had made him old.
4. having lived or existed for a specified time: a man 30 years old; a century-old organization.
5. having lived or existed as specified with relation to younger or newer persons or things: Jim is our oldest boy.
6. having been aged for a specified time: This whiskey is eight years old.
7. having been aged for a comparatively long time: old brandy.
8. long known or in use: the same old excuse.
9. overfamiliar to the point of tedium: That joke gets old fast.
10. belonging to the past: the good old days.
11. having been in existence since the distant past: a fine old family.
12. no longer in general use: This typewriter is an old model.
13. acquired, made, or in use by one prior to the acquisition, making, or use of something more recent: When the new house was built, we sold the old one.
14. of, pertaining to, or originating at an earlier period or date: old maps.
15. prehistoric; ancient: There may have been an old land bridge between Asia and Alaska.
16. ( cap. ) (of a language) in its oldest known period, as attested by the earliest written records: Old Czech.
17. experienced: He's an old hand at welding.
18. of long standing; having been such for a comparatively long time: an old and trusted employee.
19. (of colors) dull, faded, or subdued: old rose.
20. deteriorated through age or long use; worn, decayed, or dilapidated: old clothes.
21. Physical Geog. (of landforms) far advanced in reduction by erosion or the like.
22. sedate, sensible, mature, or wise: That child seems old beyond his years.
23. (used to indicate affection, familiarity, disparagement, or a personalization): good old Bob; that dirty old jalopy.
24. Informal. (used as an intensive) great; uncommon: a high old time.
25. former; having been so formerly: a dinner for his old students.
n.
26. ( used with a pl. v. ) old persons collectively (usually prec. by the ): appropriations to care for the old.
27. a person or animal of a specified age or age group (used in combination): a class for six-year-olds; a horse race for three-year-olds.
28. old or former time, often time long past: days of old.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE eald, ald; c. D old, G alt, Goth altheis; akin to ON ala to nourish ]
Syn. 1. OLD, AGED, ELDERLY all mean well along in years. An OLD person has lived long, nearly to the end of the usual period of life. An AGED person is very far advanced in years, and is usually afflicted with the infirmities of age. An ELDERLY person is somewhat old, but usually has the mellowness, satisfactions, and joys of age ahead. 9. olden, early.
Ant. 1. young.