Gerontophile
/ˈdʒɛr.ən.tə.faɪl/noun
A person who is sexually or romantically attracted to elderly people.
Did you know?Gerontophile combines Greek gérōn, “old man” or “elder,” with phílos, “loving,” the same ancient element behind words for friendship, philosophy, and philanthropy.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵerh₂-
“To become old or mature; the reconstructed root behind Greek terms for age and elders.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
gérōn (γέρων)
“An old man, elder, or respected aged person.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
géront- (γεροντ-)
“The combining form relating to an old person or old age.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phílos (φίλος)
“Beloved, dear, loving, or a friend.”
19th–20th Century
Scientific English
geronto- + -phile
“A modern learned formation combining “old person” with “one who loves or is attracted to.””
20th Century–Modern English
English
gerontophile
“A person sexually or romantically attracted to elderly people.”
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