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| age [ ayj ] |
noun (plural ag·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. length of somebody's or something's existence: the length of time that somebody or something has existed, usually expressed in years
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2. stage of life: a stage or phase in the lifetime of somebody or something
  at an early age
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3. legal adulthood: the age at which somebody is legally considered to be an adult
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4. state of having lived long: the condition of having lived many years
the wisdom of age
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5. history historical period: a period in history, especially a long period or one associated with and named for a distinctive characteristic, achievement, or influential person
the space age
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6. geology geologic period: a relatively short division of recent geologic time, shorter than an epoch
the Ice Age
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7. education level of development: a level of development equivalent to that of an average person of a particular age
a reading age of 7
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8. generation: a generation of people
(
literary
)
the greatest writer of her age
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plural noun ag·es |
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| Definition: |
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1. long time: a very long time
(
informal
)
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2. history: human history
People have warred with one another throughout the ages.
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verb (past and past participle aged, present participle ag·ing or age·ing, 3rd person present singular ag·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb grow or cause to grow old: to become old, develop the characteristics of being old, or cause somebody or something to become or seem old
Too much sun ages the skin.
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2. transitive and intransitive verb food improve over time: to cause a food or wine to mature, develop a desired flavor, or become more tender, or to become improved in this way over time
The wine is aged in oak barrels.
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3. transitive verb electronics stabilize device through use: to stabilize an electronic device by using it
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| [13th century. Via Old French aage< Latin aetat- "period of life" < Indo-European] |
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come of age to reach the age when people are legally considered to be adults
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of a certain age no longer young (humorous)
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