▪ I. older, a. and n.
(ˈəʊldə(r))
[f. old a. + -er3.]
A. adj. The later ‘levelled’ comparative of old, which has superseded the earlier elder q.v., except in special uses. (The levelling down of the comparative appears to have begun with the form alder, found already c 1200.)
1. In the ordinary senses of old: Of greater age; that has lived or existed longer, of longer existence or standing; more ancient.
| 1205–1610 [see alder a.]. 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. ii. iv. 127 Young Romeo will be older [Qos. elder] when you haue found him. 1601 ― Jul. C. iv. iii. 31, I am a Souldier, I, Older in practice. Abler then your selfe To make Conditions. 1671 Milton Samson 1489 Thy Son, Made older then thy age through eye-sight lost. 1713 J. Warder True Amazons (ed. 2) 54 In June and July, they [wasps] are both older and bolder. 1863 Lyell Antiq. Man 8 Deposits of older date. a 1864 Hawthorne Septimius Felton (1879) 149 A house in the older part of the town. Mod. She is ten years older than her sister. |
2. In the sense of elder a. 1 b: the older of two of a family, etc.; senior. Only dial.
| c 1205 Lay. 3750 Of þan aldre sustren. 1465 Marg. Paston in P. Lett. II. 212, I have delyveryd your older sonne xx mark. Mod. Sc. He is my aulder brother. |
B. n.
† 1. pl. Predecessors: = elder B. 1. Obs.
| a 1470 Tiptoft Orat. G. Flamineus (Caxton 1481) F iv, To preche of the noble dedes of thyn olders, I wil..confesse that thyn auncestres have be of soverayne auctorite. |
† 2. (A person's) superior in age, senior (chiefly in pl.): = elder B. 2. Obs.
| 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour K vj, Trewly this yonge man..byleueth the counceylle of his older. c 1500 How the Plowman lerned his Pater-Noster 40 in Hazl. E.P.P. I. 211 As I haue herde myne olders tell. 1562 J. Heywood Prov. (1867) 26, I haue herd of myne olders. |
† b. A person advanced in life: = elder B. 2 b.
| c 1440 J. Capgrave St. Kath. v. 868 Oon of the olderes ageyn on-to hir seyth: ‘O precyous spouse of god!’ |
▪ II. older
erron. Sc. form of owther, either conj.