Search results for 'age':

age noun 1 the period of time during which a person, animal, plant or phenomenon has lived or existed. 2 a particular stage in life • old age. 3 psychol one's developmental equivalent in years compared with the average for one's chronological age. 4 the fact or time of being old. 5 in the Earth's history: an interval of time during which specific life forms, physical conditions, geological events, etc were dominant • the Ice Age. 6 (usually ages) colloq a very long time. verb (aged , ageing or aging) 1 intrans to show signs of growing old. 2 intrans to grow old. 3 intrans to mature. 4 to make someone seem older or look old. ageing or aging noun, adj. act or be one's age to behave sensibly. come of age to become legally old enough to have an adult's rights and duties. of an age of the same, or a similar, age. over age too old. under age too young to be legally allowed to do something, eg buy alcoholic drink.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c: from French aage, from Latin aetas.

-age suffix, forming nouns, signifying 1 a collection, set or group • baggage. 2 an action or process • breakage. 3 the result of an action or event • wreckage. 4 a condition • bondage. 5 a home, house or place • orphanage • anchorage. 6 cost or charge • postage. 7 rate • dosage.
ETYMOLOGY: French.