, a. [Compar. Older (?); superl. Oldest.] [OE. old, ald, AS. ald, eald; akin to D. oud, OS. ald, OFries. ald, old, G. alt, Goth. alpeis, and also to Goth. alan to grow up, Icel. ala to bear, produce, bring up, L. alere to nourish. Cf. Adult, Alderman, Aliment, Auld, Elder.]
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1.
Not young; advanced far in years or life; having lived till toward the end of the ordinary term of living; as, an old man; an old age; an old horse; an old tree.
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-Let not old age disgrace my high desire. Sir P. Sidney.
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-The melancholy news that we grow old. Young.
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2.
Not new or fresh; not recently made or produced; having existed for a long time; as, old wine; an old friendship. An old acquaintance. Camden.
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3.
Formerly existing; ancient; not modern; preceding; original; as, an old law; an old custom; an old promise. The old schools of Greece. Milton. The character of the old Ligurians. Addison.
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4.
Continued in life; advanced in the course of existence; having (a certain) length of existence; -- designating the age of a person or thing; as, an infant a few hours old; a cathedral centuries old.
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-And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou? Cen. xlvii. 8.
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