Whitebeards

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A long white beard typically worn by older men
2. A symbol of wisdom and age, often associated with figures in folklore or mythology
3. Referring to the appearance of someone with a distinguished or prominent facial hair that is white in color

Etymology: "Whitebeards" is the plural of "whitebeard", a compound formed from "white" and "beard". The pairing is transparent: a beard that has turned white with age, and by extension a man who bears one. Both parts are ancient Germanic words, so the compound was built from materials English already had, with no borrowing from Latin or French involved. The plural is simply the noun counted: several old men with white beards, or figures in stories who are recognised by that feature. Its sense of wisdom and age comes from the ordinary association between white hair and years lived, which is why the image turns up so readily in folklore and mythology.