hoary

Definition

White, whitish, or greyish-white.

Etymology

Possibly from Middle English *hori (suggested by horilocket (“hoary-locked, having hoary locks or curls”)), equivalent to hoar + -y. Alternatively, Middle English horilocket may represent Middle English hor (“hoar, hoary”) + ilocket (“locked”) rather than hori (“hoary”) + locket (“locked”).

Example Sentences

• "As hoary frost with spangles doth attire, The mossy braunches of an oke halfe ded,"
• "But hoary Winter, unadorn'd and bare, Dwells in the dire Retreat, and freezes there."
• "The old man bowed his hoary head in acquiescence."

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