Old, a.
[compar. OLDER; superl. OLDEST.] [Scot. auld, A-S. ald, eald, O. Sax. ald, O. Fries. ald, auld, old, al, ol, L. Ger. öld, öl, D. oud, O. & N. H. Ger. alt, Goth. altheis, from Goth. alan, to grow up, Icel. ala, to nourish, allied to Lat. alere, id., altus, high, literally grown great by nourishing.]
Sense 1. Not young; advanced far in years or life; having lived beyond the middle period, or toward the end of the ordinary term of living; as, an old man; an old age; an old horse; an old tree.
The melancholy news that we grow old. Young.
Let not old age disgrace my high desire. Sidney.
This adjective is placed after the noun that designates the time lived; as, three years old.
Sense 2. Not new or fresh; having existed for a long time; not recently made or produced; as, old wine; an old garment; an old friendship.
Sense 3. Formerly existing; pre-existing or preceding; as, an old law; an old custom; an old promise. “The old schools of Greece.” Milton. “The character of the old Ligurians.” Addison.
Sense 4. Indefinitely continued in life; advanced in existence; as, an infant a few hours old.
And Pharaoh said to Jacob, How old art thou? Gen. xlvii. 8.
Sense 5. Long practiced; skilled; experienced; as, an old offender; old in vice.
Sense 6. Long cultivated; as, old land; an old farm; — opposed to new land, that is, to land lately cleared and cultivated.
Sense 7. Long existing; hence, worn out; decayed; good for nothing; as, old clothes.
Sense 8. More than enough; great. [Obs.]
If a man were porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning of the key. Shak.
Sense 9. Wise; sagacious; crafty; cunning; as, an old head. [Colloq.] “Vane, young in years, but in sage counsel, old.” Milton.
Sense 10. Aged; antiquated; hence, wanting in the mental vigor or other qualities belonging to youth; bad; mean; — used disparagingly as a term of reproach.
Sense 11. Old-fashioned; wonted; as of old; as, the good old times; hence, very gay; exciting; agreeable; jolly.
Of old, long ago; from ancient times. “A land there is, Hesperia named of old.” Dryden. — Old age, advanced years; the latter period of life. — Old bachelor, an unmarried man somewhat advanced in years. — Old maid, an unmarried female somewhat advanced in years. — Old red sandstone (Geol.), a series of red sandstone rocks situated below the rocks of the carboniferous age, and comprising various strata of silicious sandstones and conglomerates. [See Illust. of Geology.] — Old school, a school or party belonging to a former time, or having the character, manner, or opinions appropriate to a former time; as, a gentleman of the old school; — used also adjectively; as, old-school Presbyterians. — Old style. See STYLE. — Old Testament, that part of the Bible which contains the collected works of the inspired writers previous to Christ.
Synonyms— Aged; ancient; pristine; original; primitive; antique; antiquated; old-fashioned; obsolete.