senile

American  

[see-nahyl, -nil, sen-ahyl] / ˈsi naɪl, -nɪl, ˈsɛn aɪl /

adjective

1. showing a decline or deterioration of physical strength or mental functioning, especially short-term memory and alertness, as a result of old age or disease.

2. of or belonging to old age or aged persons; gerontological; geriatric.

3. Physical Geography. (of topographical features) having been reduced by erosion to a featureless plain that stands everywhere at base level.

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noun

1. a senile person.

senile British  

/ ˈsiːnaɪl, sɪˈnɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of old age

2. mentally or physically weak or infirm on account of old age

3. (of land forms or rivers) at an advanced stage in the cycle of erosion See old

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Other Word Forms

• senilely
  adverb
• senility
  noun
• unsenile
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of senile

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin senīlis “old,” from sen(ex) “old man” ( cf. senior) + -īlis -ile

Explanation

The word senile describes a person who is experiencing dementia brought about by old age — in other words, someone showing signs of senility. Senile can refer to a loss of physical abilities in old age, but it usually refers to decreased memory and mental faculties. Getting senile is a very serious condition, as an older person might have trouble remembering who their own children are. Many people in nursing homes are senile, because their families aren't able to provide proper care. Of course, people forget things at every age. If you're 10 or 40 and have a bad memory, you're not going senile.

Example Sentences

Senile Appendicitis One out of ten cases of acute appendicitis died 20 years ago.

From Time Magazine Archive

The article is extremely interesting as also the article under the medical department on "Senile Appendicitis."

From Time Magazine Archive

Senile Safsaf, as her husband was called, a onetime fellah who rose to boss Egypt's Wafd Party, blossomed out in Sulka ties, hired a valet, vacationed on the Riviera.

From Time Magazine Archive

Hefelmann was nabbed early this year along with three other former executives in the project called Operation Even the Senile.

From Time Magazine Archive

Senile atrophy is not uncommon, the atrophy resulting, as the name inferentially implies, from advancing age.

From Essentials of Diseases of the Skin Including the Syphilodermata Arranged in the Form of Questions and Answers Prepared Especially for Students of Medicine by Stelwagon, Henry Weightman