[f. AGED a. + -NESS.]
1. The quality of being aged, oldness.
1530. Palsgr., 193/2. Agydnesse, anciennete.
1635. J. Hayward, Banish’d Virg., 214. My wrinkles and withered agednesse.
1641. Milton, Ch. Discip., I. (1851), 26. For Custome without Truth is but agednesse of Error.
1873. Spectator, 8 Feb., 168/2. The agedness of the world, its sad want of originality.
2. The quality of having reached a stated age.
a. 1643. W. Cartwright, Poems (N.).
| He still was strong and fresh, his brain was gray. | |
| Such agedness might our young ladies move | |
| To somewhat more than a Platonick love. |
1881. Annie R. Ellis, Sylvestra, II. 261. That middle-agedness some men show so early.
