olden
adjective
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L24750 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈəʊl.dn̩/ / /ˈəʊl.dən/ / /ˈoʊldn̩/
adj
Etymology: From Middle English olden, probably originally an inflected plural form of old (compare Old English ealdum, dative plural of eald (“old”)), but later reanalysed as equivalent to old + -en (“made of”). Otherwise derived from Old Norse aldinn (“ancient, old”).
- From or relating to a previous era.
“olden days, olden times”
“"You are right to some extent in what you say. In the olden days people had a stronger belief in all kinds of witchery; now they pretend not to believe in it, that they may be looked upon as sensible and educated people, as you say."”
- Old; ancient.
“We […] told over the story of past sufferings, and renewed olden vows of devotion.”
“Beowulf, behind his shield, thrust forth only his right arm. In it he had picked up the sword of Ing, well known in olden lore.”
name
Etymology: Variant of Alden.
- A surname.
- An unincorporated community in Howell County, Missouri, United States.
- An unincorporated community in Eastland County, Texas, United States.
verb
Etymology: Etymology tree English old English -en English olden From old + -en (“to make (adjective)”).
- To grow old; age; assume an older appearance or character; become affected by age.
“Of all Sedley's opponents in his debates with his creditors which now ensued, and harassed the feelings of the humiliated old gentleman so severely, that in six weeks he oldened more than he had done for fifteen years before—the most determined and obstinate seemed to be John Osborne, his old friend and neighbour […]”
“They were not worldly days; and so, as we olden with our passage through the world, they stay young, and we love them as pure youthful things are loved.”