senile
[ see-nahyl, -nil, sen-ahyl ]
/ ˈsi naɪl, -nɪl, ˈsɛn aɪl /
adjective
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.
of or belonging to old age or aged persons; gerontological; geriatric.
Physical Geography. (of topographical features) having been reduced by erosion to a featureless plain that stands everywhere at base level.Compare peneplain.
noun
a senile person.
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Nearby words
Origin of senile
Related forms
un·se·nile, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for senile
British Dictionary definitions for senile
senile
/ (ˈsiːnaɪl) /
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of old age
mentally or physically weak or infirm on account of old age
(of land forms or rivers) at an advanced stage in the cycle of erosionSee old (def. 18)
Derived Forms
senilely, adverbsenility (sɪˈnɪlɪtɪ), nounWord Origin for senile
C17: from Latin senīlis, from senex an old man
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medicine definitions for senile
senile
[ sē′nīl′, sĕn′īl′ ]
adj.
Relating to, characteristic of, or resulting from old age.
Exhibiting the symptoms of senility, as impaired memory or the inability to perform certain mental tasks.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.