zayde

English

Etymology

Yiddish זיידע ‎(zeyde, “grandfather”)

Alternative forms

• zeidy, zaydeh, zeidi

Noun

zayde ‎(plural zaydes)

1. grandfather
   • 1974, Fran Ross, Oreo ISBN 9780914870005 page 207:

     Perhaps, in these circumstances, he would greet his granddaughter as a zayde should, with love and affection.

2. elderly man (as a term of respect)
   • 3 November 1975, John Simon, review of Lies My Father Told Me, New York Magazine page 74:

     The zayde is, as the hoary formula demands, gruff on the outside but wonderful to his horse and David...

   • 1997, Susan Berrin, A Heart of Wisdom ISBN 9781879045736 page 200:

     To many people, the phrase "Jewish elderly" still conjures up images of bearded zaydes with yarmulkes...

References

• OED 2006