centuriesold

Centuriesold is an adjective used to describe something that has existed for many centuries. In standard English, the preferred form is centuries-old, a hyphenated compound adjective that precedes the noun (for example, centuries-old manuscripts). The closed form centuriesold is uncommon and largely nonstandard, though it occasionally appears in branding, domain names, or stylistic marketing where a compact word form is desired.

Etymology and form: The word is built from century (a period of 100 years) and old, joined to convey long duration. In contemporary usage, the hyphenated form centuries-old is widely recognized; the unhyphenated or closed form centuriesold is not typically listed in major dictionaries and may be flagged as an orthographic variation or branding choice.

Usage: Centuries-old is used across fields such as history, archaeology, art, and genealogy to indicate objects, ideas, or institutions with a long history. Examples include centuries-old monuments, centuries-old customs, or centuries-old manuscripts. In branding, a company might prefer centuriesold as a stylized name component to imply longevity or tradition.

See also: centuries-old, compound adjective orthography, branding terminology, historical age descriptors.