adj (1)年长(龄大)的( older)[A(to)][无 comp]：be～to sb by two years (be two years～to sb)比某人大两岁;There are plenty of others～to me.其他人好多比我大。〖同〗older;〖反〗younger;

(2)老……(置于姓名之后，表示同名父子中的父亲)(placed after the name of a father whose son has been given exactly the same name)(常cap，缩写 Sen)：John Smith，S～老约翰·史密斯;The letter's addressed to Peter Robinson Sen. 这封信是写给老彼得·罗宾逊的。〖同〗older，elder;〖反〗junior;

(3)(资历、级别、权位等)较高的(of higher rank or authority，longer in service)[A (to)][无comp]：a～partner/statesman/officer 老板/元老/高级军官;a～member of the staff 老同事;a～member of the committee 委员会中的资深成员;She's～to me so I have to do what she tells me.她比我级别高，所以我得听她的。〖同〗superior，above;〖反〗inferior，subordinate;

(4)(中学或大学)高年级(班)的(of or for seniors in a high school or college)：a～class大学四年级;a～pupil高年级学生;a～middle school 高级中学(高中);He was not allowed to take the～course.不允许他修高年级课程。

n(1)较年长者(person older than another or the other)[C]：be one's～by two years/two years one's～比某人大两岁;Herbert is the～of the two brothers.赫伯特是俩兄弟中的哥哥。

(2)(大学或中学)毕业班的学生(student in the last year of college or the twelfth grade in high school)(AmE)：one's～year at college某人大学最后一学年;There are three classes in the～part of the school.该校有三个毕业班。

(3)高中生(student of a senior school)[C]：a match between the juniors and the～s 初中生和高中生间的一场比赛;One of the～took the sick pupil home.一个高年级的学生把这个生病的学生送回了家。

→͵seni′ority n 年长，级别高，资格老