zayde

English

Alternative forms

• zaydee, zaydeh, zeidy, zeidi

Etymology

From Yiddish זיידע (zeyde, “grandfather”).

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪdi, -eɪdə

Noun

zayde (plural zaydes)

1. (Jewish) grandfather
   • 1974, Fran Ross, Oreo, →ISBN, page 207:

     Perhaps, in these circumstances, he would greet his granddaughter as a zayde should, with love and affection.

2. (Jewish) elderly man (as a term of respect)
   • 3 November 1975, John Simon, review of Lies My Father Told Me, New York Magazine page 74:

     The zayde is, as the hoary formula demands, gruff on the outside but wonderful to his horse and David...

   • 1997, Susan Berrin, A Heart of Wisdom, →ISBN, page 200:

     To many people, the phrase "Jewish elderly" still conjures up images of bearded zaydes with yarmulkes...

References

• OED 2006

Anagrams

• Zayed