senectitude

[ si-nek-ti-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. the last stage of life; old age.

Word History and Origins

Origin of senectitude¹

1790–1800; < Latin senect ( ūs ) old age (equivalent to senec-, extracted as stem from senex (genitive senis ) old man + -tūs abstract noun suffix) + -i- + -tude, on model of plenitude, rectitude, etc.

Example Sentences

The stories are ideal for short trips, and the collection will appeal to listeners from nonage to senectitude, as long as they enjoy justice meted out with merry malice.

From Washington Post

“Synonyms for autumn of life,’ ” for all the anti-euphemisms: “ infirmity,” “feebleness,” “senectitude.”

From Forbes

Three-and-twenty years form a large portion of the short life of man,—one-third, as nearly as can be expressed in unbroken numbers, of the entire term fixed by the psalmist, and full one-half, if we strike off the twilight periods of childhood and immature youth, and of senectitude weary of its toils.

From Project Gutenberg

Old Thomas Burton was shaven and manicured and betailored into a model of well-nourished—possibly over-nourished—senectitude.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Burney's determined questioning of the score, after the game was absolutely gone to the devil, the plain but hospitable cold boiled-beef suppers at sideboard; all which fancies, redolent of middle age and strengthful spirits, come across us ever and anon in this vale of deliberate senectitude, ycleped Enfield.

From Project Gutenberg