Eldfather

Alternative forms

• elderfather

Origin

From Middle English eldfader, eldefader, from Old English ealdfæder, ealdefæder ("father, grandfather, forefather, ancestor"), equivalent to eld("old") + father. Cognate with Scots eldfader, eldfadir ("grandfather, father-in-law"), Old Frisian aldfader, aldafeder ("grandfather").

Full definition of eldfather

Noun

1. (dialectal or obsolete) A grandfather.
• 2011, Octavia E. Butler, Fledgling:"... He was Daniel's elderfather. And he favored a mating between his sons and me."
2. (dialectal or obsolete) A father-in-law.
3. (obsolete) A forefather; ancestor.