senile
|se-nile|
/ˈsiːnaɪl/
decline due to old age
Etymology
'senile' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'senilis,' where 'senex' meant 'old man' or 'old'.
'senile' entered English via Latin (and sometimes via Old French forms), keeping the root from Latin 'senex' and the adjectival suffix '-ilis', and became established in English by the 17th century.
Initially, it meant 'of or belonging to old age' in a neutral sense; over time it has come to be strongly associated with decline in mental faculties and is often used with a negative or medicalised nuance ('showing senility').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is senile; (collective) senile people (often used in phrases like 'the senile').
The care home provides specialised services for the senile.
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Adjective 1
showing a decline of physical or mental abilities because of old age, especially loss of memory or mental sharpness.
After several strokes he became senile and often forgot names and appointments.
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Adjective 2
informal or pejorative: showing weakness of mind due to age; lacking mental vigour (often used critically).
Calling someone 'senile' as an insult ignores the medical condition behind the behaviour.
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Last updated: 2025/09/10 01:55