Eldmother

Alternative forms

• eldermother

Origin

From Middle English eldmoder, from Old English ealdmōdor ("grandmother"), equivalent to eld("old") + mother. Cognate with Scots eldmoder, eldmother ("mother-in-law"), Old Frisian aldmōder, aldemōder ("grandmother").

Full definition of eldmother

Noun

1. (dialectal or obsolete) A grandmother.
• 2011, Pati Nagle, Heart of the Exiled:She was his kindred now, being Eliani's eldermother. Smiling at the thought, he hastened into the palace and down to the council chamber, hoping he was not late for the session.
2. (dialectal or obsolete) A mother-in-law.
3. (obsolete) A female ancestor.