eldest
UK: ˈeldɪst | US: ˈeldɪst
adj. (superlative of "old") being the oldest in age or seniority among siblings or a group
"Eldest" originates from Old English ieldesta, the superlative form of eald ("old"). The morpheme "eld" preserves the archaic variant of "old," while "-est" is the standard superlative suffix in English (compare "fastest," "strongest"). The word reflects Germanic roots, where superlatives were formed with -istaz (Proto-Germanic). Over time, "eldest" specialized to describe seniority in family contexts, while "oldest" became the default for general comparisons.
She is the eldest of five siblings.
The eldest son inherited the family estate.
In many cultures, the eldest child has specific responsibilities.
Despite being the eldest, he remained the most energetic.
The tradition honors the eldest member of the community.