■ noun
1》 the length of time that a person or thing has existed.
↘a particular st~ in someone's life.
↘old ~.
2》 a distinct period of history.
↘a division of geological time that is a subdivision of an epoch.
↘( ~s/an ~ ) informal a very long time.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ing or aging , ~d ) grow or cause to appear old or older.
↘(with reference to an alcoholic drink, cheese, etc.) mature.
Phrases
act (or be ) one's ~ behave in a manner appropriate to someone of one's ~.
come of ~ reach adult status (in UK law at 18).
of an ~
1》 old enough to be able or expected to do something.
2》 (of two or more people or things) of a similar ~.
Derivatives
~ing (also aging ) noun & adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr., based on L. aetas , aetat- , from aevum '~, era'.