eldfather

English

Alternative forms

• elderfather

Etymology

From Middle English eldfader, eldefader, from Old English ealdfæder, ealdefæder (“father, grandfather, forefather, ancestor”), equivalent to eld (“old”) +‎ father. Cognate with Scots eldfader, eldfadir (“grandfather, father-in-law”), Old Frisian aldfader, aldafeder (“grandfather”).

Noun

eldfather (plural eldfathers)

1. (dialectal or obsolete) A grandfather.
   • 2011, Octavia E. Butler, Fledgling:

     "[...] He was Daniel's elderfather. And he favored a mating between his sons and me."

2. (dialectal or obsolete) A father-in-law.
3. (obsolete) A forefather; ancestor.

See also

• eldmother