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Dictionary


old



Pronunciation: (ōld), [key]
—adj., old•er, old•est or eld•er, eld•est,
—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.
1. (used with a pl. v.) old persons collectively (usually prec. by the): appropriations to care for the old.
2. 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.
3. old or former time, often time long past: days of old.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

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See also:
  • old (Thesaurus)

 

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