Horiness

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The condition of being grey or white-haired with age, or of looking old and worn
2. The quality of appearing hoary, that is, greyish or whitish from age or mould
3. The state of showing the frosted, greyish-white look that comes with advanced age

Etymology: Horiness is a rare English noun meaning the greyness that comes with age, and its history is simply that of its parts. It is formed from "hoar," an adjective meaning grey or white, plus the suffix "-iness," which turns an adjective into a noun for a state or quality, as in "happiness" or "silliness." Adding "-iness" to "hoary" yields a form that describes the quality of being hoary. "Hoar" comes from Old English "hār," meaning grey or aged, and it is related to the German "hehr," meaning venerable. The sense of greyness developed from the white of frost, which is why "hoarfrost" describes a white crust of ice crystals on grass and leaves. Its use for an old person's grey hair is the source of the phrase "hoary with age."