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Webster 1913 Edition

Eldest

Eld′est

,
Adj.
[AS.
yldest
, superl. of
eald
old. See
Elder
,
Adj.
]
1.
Oldest; longest in duration.
Shak.
2.
Born or living first, or before the others, as a son, daughter, brother, etc.; first in origin. See
Elder
.
“My lady’s eldest son.”
Shak.
Their
eldest
historians are of suspected credit.
Bp. Stillingfleet.
Eldest hand
(Card Playing)
,
the player on the dealer's left hand.
R. A. Proctor.

Webster 1828 Edition

Eldest

ELD'EST

,
Adj.
Oldest; most advanced in age; that was born before others; as the eldest son or daughter. It seems to always applied to persons or at least to animals, and not to things. If ever applied to things, it must signify, that was first formed or produced, that has existed the longest time. But applied to things we use oldest.

Definition 2024

eldest

eldest

English

Adjective

eldest

  1. superlative form of old: most old; greatest in age or seniority.
    eldest son

eldest ‎(not comparable)

  1. (card games) (of a player) Receiving cards from the dealer first, before any other players.
  2. (card games) (of a hand) Having higher, or superior cards.
    • 2003, ‎Thunder Bay Press, The Card Game Set
      Each player draws a card, and the lowest becomes eldest hand.

Usage notes

The normal superlative of old is oldest. The irregular form eldest is sometimes used with family members, but it is otherwise rare.

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