age

[[t]eɪdʒ[/t]]

n. v. aged, ag•ing age•ing

1) the length of time during which a being or thing has existed; length of life or existence to the time mentioned:

trees of unknown age[/ex]

2) a period of human life, measured by years from birth, when a person is regarded as capable of assuming certain privileges or responsibilities:

the age of consent[/ex]

3) the particular period of life at which a person becomes qualified or disqualified for something:

to be over the age for military service[/ex]

4) one of the periods or stages of human life:

middle age[/ex]

5) advanced years; old age:

His eyes were dim with age[/ex]

6) a generation or a series of generations:

ages yet unborn[/ex]

7) the period of history in which an individual lives:

the most famous architect of the age[/ex]

8) (often cap.) a particular period of history; a historical epoch:

the Periclean Age[/ex]

9) Usu., ages. a long period of time:

You've been away for ages[/ex]

10) the average life expectancy of an individual or the individuals of a class or species:

The age of a horse is from 25 to 30 years[/ex]

11) gel (often cap.)

a) a period of the history of the earth distinguished by some special feature:

the Ice Age[/ex]

b) a unit of geological time, shorter than an epoch, during which the rocks comprising a stage were formed

12) to grow old:

She is aging gracefully[/ex]

13) to mature, as wine, cheese, or wood

14) to cause to grow or seem old:

Fear aged him overnight[/ex]

15) to bring to maturity; make ready for use:

to age wine[/ex]

•

- of age

Etymology: 1225–75; ME < AF, OF aage, eage < aé (< L aetātem acc. of ae(vi)tās age; aev(um) time, lifetime)