presenile

[ pree-see-nahyl, -nil, -sen-ahyl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or exhibiting the characteristics of presenility; prematurely old.

Word History and Origins

Origin of presenile¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; pre- + senile

Example Sentences

An unfortunate circumstance about this malady from the eugenic standpoint is the fact that it is frequently of the presenile form which comes on late in life so that it is usually impossible to predict whether an individual of marriageable age is immune or will later become affected.

From Project Gutenberg

For decades thereafter, because of the patient's age, 'Alzheimer's presenile dementia' was considered a rare disease of mid-life.

From Nature

Since Alois Alzheimer first noted his clinical findings of “presenile dementia” in a patient at the turn of the twentieth century, doctors have continually observed that the disease tends to run through families.

From Scientific American

But patients suffering from hardening of the brain's arteries and a group classed as presenile showed marked improvement in their memory of recent events.

From Time Magazine Archive

Other more frightening names for it: presenile gangrene, thrombo-angiitis obliterans.

From Time Magazine Archive