presenile

American  

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

adjective

1. pertaining to or exhibiting the characteristics of presenility; prematurely old.

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Etymology

Origin of presenile

First recorded in 1895–1900; pre- + senile

Example Sentences

For decades thereafter, because of the patient's age, 'Alzheimer's presenile dementia' was considered a rare disease of mid-life.

From Nature

Since Alois Alzheimer first noted his clinical findings of “presenile dementia” in a patient at the turn of the twentieth century, doctors have continually observed that the disease tends to run through families.

From Scientific American

But patients suffering from hardening of the brain's arteries and a group classed as presenile showed marked improvement in their memory of recent events.

From Time Magazine Archive

Other more frightening names for it: presenile gangrene, thrombo-angiitis obliterans.

From Time Magazine Archive