Pronunciation: [ˈɛldəst] (IPA) 
The word "eldest" is spelled with an "e" followed by "l-d-e-s-t". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /ˈɛldəst/. The "e" is pronounced as a short "e" sound like "eh". The "l" is pronounced as "l" sound, the "d" is pronounced as "d" sound, the "e" is pronounced as a short "e" sound like "eh", the "s" is pronounced as "s" sound, and the "t" is pronounced as "t" sound. Overall, the pronunciation is simple and straightforward.
Eldest is an adjective that refers to the individual who is the oldest or the most senior in age within a specified group or within a family. It is commonly used to describe the first-born or the first in a succession of children in relation to their siblings. The term eldest is derived from the word "old," and it emphasizes the precedence or seniority of someone in terms of age.
In the context of a family, the eldest child is the oldest among their brothers and sisters, typically holding a position of greater authority and responsibility within the family hierarchy. This notion can extend to other aspects, such as being the first grandchild or the first cousin among a group of relatives.
Outside of the familial context, eldest can be used to describe the oldest member of a group, organization, or team. For instance, in a group of friends, the eldest might refer to the person who has known the others for the longest time or who has the highest age among them.
Therefore, the term eldest serves to distinguish the oldest member in a group, emphasizing their seniority and often implying a certain level of respect, authority, or precedence associated with their position in terms of age.
Degree of old; most advanced in age, usually applied to persons.
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 "eldest" comes from the Old English word "yldra" or "iġyldra", which itself is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*aldi-". This word means "grown-up" or "experienced". The root of "aldi-" can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European word "*al-", which signifies "to nourish", "to grow", or "to nurture". Over time, "yldra" in Old English evolved into "eldest" in Middle English, maintaining its meaning of the oldest or firstborn among siblings.
