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Origin and history of senile

senile(adj.)

1660s, "suited to or characteristic of old age," from French sénile (16c.), from Latin senilis "of old age," from senex (genitive senis) "old, old man" (from PIE root *sen- "old"). The meaning "infirm from age; pertaining to or proceeding from the weakness that usually attends old age" is attested by 1882; senile dementia is attested by 1851.

also from 1660s

Entries linking to senile

senility(n.)

"old age, especially the weakness or imbecility due to old age," 1753, from senile + -ity.

*sen-

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "old."

It might form all or part of: monseigneur; seignior; senate; senescent; seneschal; senicide; senile; senility; senior; seniority; senor; senora; senorita; shanachie; Shannon; signor; sir; sire; surly.

It might also be the source of: Sanskrit sanah "old;" Avestan hana- "old," Old Persian hanata- "old age, lapse of time;" Armenian hin "old;" Greek enos "old, of last year;" Latin senilis "of old age," senex "old, old man;" Lithuanian senas "old," senis "an old man;" Gothic sineigs "old" (used only of persons), sinistra "elder, senior;" Old Norse sina "dry standing grass from the previous year;" Old Irish sen, Old Welsh hen "old."

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    Trends of senile

    adapted from books.google.com/ngrams/ with a 7-year moving average; ngrams are probably unreliable.

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    Jupiter
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