aged
UK/'eidʒid/US
TOEFLA2
Definitions
adj.
Having lived or existed for a specified length of time (/eɪdʒd/).
……岁的（读 /eɪdʒd/）。
adj.
Very old (/ˈeɪdʒɪd/); (the aged) old people as a group.
年老的（读 /ˈeɪdʒɪd/）；（the aged）老年人。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedageage, era, lifetime
+
-edpast tense / completed
=aged
age + -ed. Two pronunciations carry two meanings: one-syllable /eɪdʒd/ states a specific age (a man aged 40); two-syllable /ˈeɪdʒɪd/ means very old (an aged relative; the aged = elderly people).
Usage Guide
A classic pronunciation trap. 'aged 40' (one syllable, /eɪdʒd/) = having that age. 'an aged man' (two syllables, /ˈeɪdʒɪd/) = very old. Getting the syllable count wrong changes the meaning, so listen for it.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The course is open to children aged 8 to 12.
- 2.
She cared for her aged mother at home.
- 3.
Services for the aged are stretched thin.