AGE signifies any period of duration. It is indiscriminately used to express many objects and situations, but is more frequently applied to the latter or advanced periods of human life; and, in this sense, is accompanied with the epithet old.
Human existence has been divided into four distinct periods, viz. infancy, youth, manhood, and old age. The gradation through these successive stages is often slight and imperceptible; it may be either accelerated or retarded, according to the more or less prudent conduct of the individual, the mode of life which is pursued, and the various rules and precautions observed in diet, regimen, &c.
Age, when accompanied with other good qualities, is more especially entitled to respect and reverence; but, if marked with ignorance, becomes disgusting and contemptible. See the article Longevity.