old town
[f. old a. + town n. 4.]
The older part of a city or town contained within its modern limits. Also attrib. Hence old-towner, an inhabitant of an old town.
| 1752 G. Elliot Proposals Publ. Works Edin. 32 In these cities, what is called the new town, consists of spacious streets and large buildings..while the old town..is more crouded than before these late additions were made. 1797 Lady Newdigate Let. 16 July in A. E. Newdigate-Newdegate Cheverels (1898) xiii. 154, I am told that y⊇ Steyne & everything beyond the Old Town has been built within y⊇ last 30 years. 1842 Queen Victoria Jrnl. 3 Sept. in D. Duff Victoria in Highlands (1968) 32 We set off..for Edinburgh... The procession moved through the Old Town up the High Street. 1924 ‘P. Blundell’ Confessions of Seaman xi. 147 There is not, of course, any real ‘old town’ in Hamburg. Most of the city was burnt down in 1842. 1966 G. Lyall Shooting Script xxvi. 208 They are staying at the Colombo, on the beach front near the old town. Jiminez will control the old town, whatever happens. 1968 M. Tripp One is One ii. 15 The beautiful Old Town in Annecy where ancient houses were backed by wooden galleries. 1973 Guardian 30 May 7/1 The fears of the old-towners are certainly understandable. The population has declined. Runcorn new town..has been growing. 1973 R. Parkes Guardians viii. 137 The granite masses of old-town Helsinki. |