eɪdʒ n. & v. --n. 1 a
the length of
time that a
person or
thing has existed or is
likely to
exist. b a
particular point in or
part of one's
life,
often as a
qualification (old age; voting age). 2 a colloq. (often in pl.) a long time (took an age to
answer;
have been waiting for ages). b a
distinct period of the
past (golden age;
Bronze age;
Middle Ages). c Geol. a period of time. d a
generation. 3 the
latter part of life;
old age (the peevishness of age). --v. (pres. part.
ageing, aging) 1 intr.
show signs of advancing age (has
aged a
lot recently). 2 intr.
grow old. 3 intr.
mature. 4 tr.
cause or
allow to age. øage-long
lasting for a
very long time. age of
consent see CONSENT. age of
discretion see DISCRETION. age-old having existed for a very long time.
come of age
reach adult status (esp. in
Law at 18,
formerly 21).
over age 1 old
enough. 2
too old.
under age
not old enough,
esp. not
yet of adult status. [ME f. OF ult. f. L aetas -atis age]
