[ad. L. anīlitāt-em, f. anīlis: see ANILE and -ITY.] The state of being an old woman; old-womanishness; dotage, foolishness. Fig. used more contemptuously than senility.
1623. Cockeram, Anility, Dotage.
1760. Sterne, Serm., III. 277. This reformation … perfected and handed down, if not ‘entirely without spot or wrinkle,’ at least without great blotches or marks of anility!
1765. Tucker, Lt. Nat., II. 189. Youth can never be anility, nor beauty become ugliness.
1841. Blackw. Mag., L. 206/1. The fopperies and anilities of fashion.
1863. Macm. Mag., May, 62/1. Müller … treats as an exploded anility the belief in Hebrew as the primitive language.
