Word-Built World: senescent

An Old Man in an Armchair, 1650s Art: Probably by Rembrandt

A.Word.A.Daywith Anu Garg

senescent

PRONUNCIATION:

(si-NES-uhnt) 

MEANING:

adjective:
1. Growing old; aging.
2. Deteriorating or decaying with the passage of time.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin senescere (to grow old), from senex (old). Ultimately from the Indo-European root sen- (old), which is also the ancestor of senior, senate, senile, Spanish señor, sir, sire, and surly (which is an alteration of sirly, as in sir-ly). Earliest documented use: 1656.

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