greybeard

/'greibiəd/
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greybeard

An elderly greybeard sits on a park bench feeding pigeons.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A man who is very old: "greybeard" primarily refers to an elderly man, often one with a long white or grey beard, implying advanced age and sometimes associated with wisdom or experience.
    • A stoneware drinking jug with a long neck; decorated with a caricature of Cardinal Bellarmine (17th century): In historical contexts, "greybeard" is a specific type of antique jug or flask, typically made of stoneware and featuring a bearded face.
Usage Examples
  • Noun (Elderly Man):
    • The young knights sought advice from the village greybeard.
    • He was considered the wise greybeard of the company.
  • Noun (Historical Jug):
    • The museum's collection includes a 17th-century greybeard.
    • Archaeologists found a greybeard among the tavern ruins.
Advanced Usage
  • Used metaphorically to represent tradition or conservatism: The term can imply old-fashioned ideas or resistance to change.
    • The board's greybeards were hesitant to adopt the new technology.
  • As a collective term: Can be used (often informally or slightly humorously) to refer to a group of elderly men.
    • The policy was debated by the greybeards of the senate.
Variants and Related Words
  • Graybeard: An alternative spelling, especially in American English.
  • Old-timer: (noun) A person who has been in a particular place, job, or field for a long time; can be a synonym for an elderly man in a specific context.
  • Elder: (noun) An older person, often one with authority or respect within a community.
Synonyms
  • Patriarch: A man who is the head of a family or tribe; an older man who is respected.
  • Veteran: A person who has had long experience in a particular field, often but not exclusively implying age.
  • Senior: A person of higher rank, status, or age.
Related Phrases and Idioms
  • No specific phrasal verbs exist for "greybeard."
  • "The greybeards": A common idiomatic phrase referring collectively to the older, experienced members of a group, organization, or society.
    • The final decision rested with the greybeards of the council.
greybeard

An elderly greybeard sits on a park bench feeding pigeons.

Noun
  1. a stoneware drinking jug with a long neck; decorated with a caricature of Cardinal Bellarmine (17th century)
  2. a man who is very old

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