n.
- the length of time that a person or thing has existed.
▸a particular stage in someone's life.
▸old age.
- a distinct period of history.
▸a division of geological time that is a subdivision of an epoch.
▸
(ages/an age)
informal a very long time.
v.
(ages, ageing or aging, aged)
grow or cause to appear old or older.
▸(with reference to an alcoholic drink, cheese, etc.) mature.
Phrase
- act
(or be)
one's age
behave in a manner appropriate to someone of one's age. - come of age
reach adult status (in UK law at 18). - of an age
- old enough to be able or expected to do something.
- (of two or more people or things) of a similar age.
Derivative
- ageing
(also aging)
n. & adj.
Etymology
ME: from OFr., based on L. aetas, aetat-, from aevum ‘age, era’.