anile

American  

[an-ahyl, ey-nahyl] / ˈæn aɪl, ˈeɪ naɪl /

adjective

1. of or like a foolish, doddering old woman.

---

anile British  

/ ˈænaɪl, ˈeɪnaɪl, əˈnɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of or like a feeble old woman

---

Other Word Forms

• anility noun

Etymology

Origin of anile

1645–55; < Latin anīlis pertaining to an old woman, equivalent to an ( us ) old woman + -īlis -ile

Example Sentences

The object of Zoe's anile affection was a capable man, and justified his rather humiliating elevation by good service to the empire.

From Project Gutenberg

As to their religion, it had the reputation popularly, according to various Fathers, of being an anile superstition, the discovery of old women, a joke, a madness, an infatuation, an absurdity, a fanaticism.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a relief must have come to many readers of Cowper, who would put down his religion as rank fanaticism, and his satire as anile declamation.

From Project Gutenberg

The ladies 246 would not think so,” he added, mournfully wagging his head with anile melancholy.

From Project Gutenberg

Here the long i is retained, and in disyllables the penultima is lengthened, as in 'anile', 'senile', 'virile'.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• battered
• broken-down
• creaky
• dilapidated
• feeble
• flimsy
• frail
• infirm
• ramshackle
• rickety
• run down
• seedy
• shabby