The spelling of the word "aged" can be a bit tricky, especially for those who are not familiar with the English language. The word is pronounced as /ˈeɪdʒd/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "a" is pronounced as a long vowel sound, and the "g" is followed by an "e" which softens the sound to an /dʒ/. The final "d" is also pronounced, which can be confused with the silent "e" in some English words. Overall, the spelling of "aged" perfectly reflects its pronunciation.
Aged, as an adjective, refers to something or someone that is advanced in years or has reached an advanced age. It denotes the state of being old or elderly, often implying a period of time that has passed since birth. It is typically used to describe the stage of life when a person has accumulated a significant number of years or has lived long enough to experience the physical and mental changes associated with aging.
In referring to an object or item, aged suggests that it has undergone a process of deterioration or wear over time, resulting in an appearance or quality that is typical of age. It points to something that has been used or existed for a considerable length of time, leading to a worn, weathered, or antiquated appearance.
The term aged also encompasses the concept of maturity, wisdom, and experience. It suggests that a person or thing has gained knowledge and expertise throughout its existence, highlighting the accumulation of valuable experiences and lessons.
Additionally, aged can be used to describe alcoholic beverages, particularly wines and spirits, that have been aged for a significant period in order to enhance their flavor, aroma, and overall quality. This aging process typically occurs in barrels or casks, allowing the beverage to develop greater complexity and depth.
In summary, aged broadly refers to being old or elderly, the deterioration or antiquation of objects over time, the accumulation of wisdom and experience, and the process of maturation for certain alcoholic beverages.
growing old
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• Old; advanced in years.
• Old persons-as the aged.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "aged" originated from the Latin word "aetaticus", which is derived from the Latin noun "aetas", meaning "age". "Aetas" is further derived from the Latin adjective "aevus", meaning "lifetime" or "era". The term "aged" in English was initially used to refer to the process of growing old or the state of being advanced in years. It is now commonly used as an adjective to describe people or things that have reached a certain age.