senil1ty

[Fr. sénil ité.] The quality er state of being senile; old age. sen-i-õr, *sen-i-our, a . & subst . [Lat. senior = older, compar.of senex old. Signor , señor, senior , seignior , sire , and sir are thus the same word.] A. As adjective : 1. Older, elder; more advanced in years. When appended to a proper name, as John Smith, senior (generally abbreviated into sr . or sen .), it denotes the elder of two persons of that name in one family or community. (JUNIOR.] 2. Higher or more advanced in rank, office, or the like; as, a senior lieutenant, a senior partner, . B. As substantive: 1. One who is older or more advanced in years than another. 2. One who is older or higher in office than another; one who has held office longer than another; one who is prior or superior in rank or office. "How can you admit your seniors to the examination or allowing of them, not only being inferior in office and calling, but in gifts also?"- Whitgifte . 3. An aged person, an elder. 4. A student in the fourth year of the curriculum in American colleges; also one in the third year in certain profe ional seminaries. senior-optimo, s. [OPTIΜΕ.] senior-sophister, s. [SOPHISTER.] senior-wrangler, s. [WRANGLER.]