Methuselahs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An individual noted for having lived a notably long life, often used metaphorically to describe someone with considerable age or longevity
2. A reference to a person known for exceptional durability or resilience through a long lifespan, frequently employed in literary discussions
3. Denotes someone of great age, often utilized in cultural contexts to represent wisdom or enduring presence across generations

Etymology: "Methuselahs" is simply the plural of "methuselah," so the real story belongs to the singular. The name comes from Methuselah, the patriarch in the Book of Genesis who is said to have lived 969 years, the longest lifespan recorded in the Bible. His name, which in Hebrew is usually read as roughly "man of the dart" or "man of Shelah," became a shorthand for extreme age, and English speakers gradually turned it into a common noun for anyone thought to be exceptionally old. Because the biblical figure is so famous, the word carries its meaning almost entirely from the story rather than from any sense of its own. Calling someone a methuselah is a playful way of pointing to their great age, and the plural simply applies that comparison to a group of long-lived people.

Synonyms: elders, long-livers, ancients, patriarchs, seniors

Antonyms: youths, youngsters, juveniles, infants, children