elderdom

noun

1. (uncountable)Authority; dominion.

   “Both of these things Moses fulfilled, when he refused elderdom or authority, [...]”

2. (uncountable)Preeminence; superiority.

   “The name of one of these was Claudius, who arrogated to himself elderdom over the others, though they by no means allowed his claim of superiority, hut quarrelled with him.”

3. (uncountable)The authority, rule, or office of an elder.

   “Hence the popular belief that elderdom was most of all at home on Russian soil.”

4. (uncountable)The state of being an elder, or of being older; elderhood.

   “Thanks to him, I have a better sense of what it takes to morph gracefully into elderdom.”

5. (uncountable)The role or influence of an elder or elders.

   “The weight of elderdom in our family was like a drapery to be taken for granted. In which anyone could at times gratefully hide.”