Oudst

Oudst is a term that appears in Dutch-language sources as the superlative form of the adjective oud (“old”) in certain dialects and historical texts. In standard modern Dutch, the typical superlative is oudste, and the comparative is ouder; therefore oudst is rarely used in contemporary writing.

Origin and forms: The word derives from Old Dutch and Proto-Germanic roots for “old,” related to German alt and English old. Over time, Dutch grammar settled on ouder and oudste as the comparative and superlative, respectively, leaving oudst largely outside modern standard usage.

Usage and examples: In research or legacy texts, oudst may appear when quoting older grammar descriptions or in dialect dictionaries. It is generally considered archaic and not standard in modern Dutch, though it may be cited in discussions of historical grammar or regional language variation.

Notes: Because oudst is not a standard form in contemporary Dutch, it is unlikely to appear in everyday language and is typically encountered only in linguistic or historical discussions. Its relevance today is primarily scholarly, offering insight into how age-related adjectives were described in past Dutch varieties and their relation to related Germanic forms.