sen-, sene-, seni-, sir-

1. A condition in which a person is growing elderly without the usual signs of aging: Someone at the fitness studio guessed Sam's age to be in the 40s; however, because of his insenescence, he was actually in his 70s!

The conference speaker met a ninety-two-year old woman which he guessed to be about seventy, based on her energy as well as her appearance; however, he learned that there was a great discrepancy between her chronological age and her apparent biological insenescence.

2. The process of advancing in years, passing one's prime, or approaching old age: In the Oscar Wilde story, Dorion Gray, the main character fears insenescence and swore that he would always be young and handsome.

The university set up a department to study insenescence because there are many more people in the general population who are getting along in years.

A description of someone who is in the process of becoming old; especially, in a normal way and withouit undue loss of vigor: Even though Rene's insenescent uncle is 95 years old, he looks and behaves more like someone who is about 65.

The onset of the characteristics of declining at an earlier than normal time in a person's life: Jane's father, who was only in his 40s, had to be moved into a nursing home as a result of his premature senility because he couldn't take care of himself anymore and he needed more attention than his family could provide.

Mental disorders which may be associated with becoming old: The psychoses of senility often involves the inability to deal with social situations or consists of behavioral disorders.

More severe psychosis of senilities may include confusion, memory failure, disorientation, restlessness, and speech disturbances.

1. A man of rank; such as, a feudal lord, especially in England (from Latin senior, "older"): In some of the novels by Sir Walter Scott, many of the seigniors owned vast lands and forest areas.

The seignior had asked for an audience with the king to discuss some local economic improvements.

2. Used as a form of address for such a man: When coming to the great hall, the knights saluted the seignior who was the lord and a person of rank and respect.
3. Etymology: from Middle English segnour, from Old French seignor, from Vulgar Latin senior, from Latin, "older"; comparative of senex, sen-, "old".

A source of revenue for a government which is based on the difference between the price of the bullion used, minting costs, and the value of the coin minted: The authorities of the country included the annual seignorage when they were calculating the budget for the upcoming year.

1. The power or authority of a nobleman: The seignory of the earl included both land and sea responsibilities.
2. Etymology: from French seigneur, "lord"; Latin, "senior, elder", in English law, "the lordship".

The rule or government of elders: The elderly senator presided over the senarchy in a benevolent manner.

1. In a bicameral form of government, the upper law-making chamber of government in many countries or states, past and present: Stuart's uncle was elected to the senate where he distinguished himself with his pro-environmental voting record.
2. Often the governing body or officials at a university: Mr. Fisk, the popular professor, was elected to the university senate.
3. Etymology: via Old French from Latin senatus, literally "assembly of elders", from senex "male elder"; source of English senile and senior.

1. An elected or appointed member of the upper house of a bicameral form of government: There will be ten senators running for re-election to the U.S. Senate in the summer.
2. The members of a governing body at a university: The educational senators agreed with the students’ demand for more classes.

1. Relating to or characteristic of a member of an upper governing body: As a new senator, Mrs. Johnson was granted senatorial privileges.
2. A reference to those who are part of an upper legislative group: The university students were invited to visit their state senators in their senatorial offices.

A custom in which presidential appointments are confirmed if there is no objection to them by the two members of the upper house of the United States Congress who are from the appointee's state: The president’s choices of a federal district court judge, a U.S. attorney, and a federal marshal for the two senators' state was approved via the process of senatorial courtesy because there was no objection to the appointees.

In Roman law, a decision or decree of the governing Roman chamber of government, that had the force of law, but it was made without the concurrence of the people: The senators agreed to a senatus consultum in order to expedite action regarding the national debt.

In modern times, a decree is a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record that is issued by a court or a judge, as opposed to the practice of senatus consultum in which a small group of law makers consulted and issued decrees that became the law of the land.

Translation: "The Senate and the People of Rome."

The initials SPQR, initials of or the abbreviation for Senatus Populusque Romanus, appeared on many ancient official standards (flags) and emblems and they still exist on manhole covers in modern Rome.

The edict issued by the emperor in ancient Rome applied both to the Senatus Populusque Romanus, or the senators and the citizens of the city of Rome.

During a visit to the city of Rome, a tourist noticed the mark, SPQR (Senates Populusque Romanus), on several municipal features including light posts and man hole covers.

Elderly, characterized by being advanced in age: Despite the senectitude of Harry's aunt, she was a marvelous pianist and practiced regularly.