oldest, a.
(ˈəʊldɪst)
[f. old a. + -est.]
The later ‘levelled’ superlative of old, which has superseded the earlier form eldest in all except special uses: see eldest a. 2, 3, 5.
1. In ordinary senses derived from old: Farthest advanced in age; first made or produced; most ancient: = eldest 1, 3.
| c 1400 Mandeville (1839) iv. 30 It is on of the oldest townes of the world. 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, iv. v. 127 Haue you a Ruffian that will..commit The oldest sinnes, the newest kinde of wayes. 1605 ― Lear v. iii. 325 The oldest hath borne most, we that are yong, Shall neuer see so much. 1676 Hobbes Iliad Pref. (1686) 7 They that..look upon it with the oldest spectacles of a Critick, may approve it. 1743 Bulkeley & Cummins Voy. S. Seas 120 The oldest Seaman on board never saw a more dismal Prospect. 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. 45 Our oldest reformation is that of Magna Charta. 1838 De Morgan Ess. Probab. 210 A's interest in the latter annuity..when A is the oldest of the three. |
2. Occasionally found in uses properly belonging to eldest. Now dial. or vulgar.
| 13.. E.E. Allit. P. B. 1333 Bolde Baltazar þat watz his barn aldest. c 1400 Destr. Troy 11055 Pirrus, Polidamas brother..aldist but he. 1785 Paley Mor. Philos. (1818) I. xxii. 225 The not making a will, is a very culpable omission..where it leaves daughters, or younger children, at the mercy of the oldest son. 1899 Tit-Bits 12 Aug. 396/3 The oldest sister. |
3. Phr. oldest inhabitant; freq. in joc. use.
| 1850 Hawthorne Scarlet Letter 13 The whereabouts of the Oldest Inhabitant was at once settled, when I looked at them. 1859 ‘L.N.R.’ Missing Link x. 130 No bedstead has been seen there in the ‘memory of the oldest inhabitant’. 1914 ‘I. Hay’ Lighter Side School Life iv. 105 The Wag and the Oldest Inhabitant are usually permitted to offer observations. 1926 Chesterton Incredulity of Father Brown v. 160 A curse on the place, according to the guide-book or the parson or the oldest inhabitant or whoever is the authority. 1950 ‘J. Tey’ To Love & be Wise xv. 196 The Oldest Inhabitant..was a vain old party but he was the representative..of..Race Memory. a 1966 M. Allingham Cargo of Eagles (1968) xii. 141 ‘The ancient mariner in the corner of The Demon?’ enquired Campion. ‘The professional oldest inhabitant?’ 1974 E. Lemarchand Buried in Past xi. 187 Good Lord, look at the Oldest Inhabitant stepping in front of a moving car{ddd}the chap's managed to pull up. |