老

• Biological: Advanced in years or age.
• Social/Hierarchical: Seniority, status, or authority within a lineage or organization; used as a noun to denote a respected elder or patriarch.
• Qualitative/Experiential: Seasoned, skilled, or possessing stability and wisdom.
• Temporal/Chronic: When modifying a process (such as an illness), denotes a long-standing or persistent condition.
• Somatic: Worn out or depleted through use and age.

• Prefix: Appended to kinship terms or titles to function as an honorific or to indicate intimacy and respect.
• Noun: Used as a designation for a person (e.g., "the elder").

• 老 vs. 古 (gǔ): 老 is biological, relational, and living, applying to people and their experiences. 古 is historical or archaeological, referring to ancient eras, ruins, or distant dynasties. The use of 老 in contexts where 古 might be expected typically emphasizes a living lineage or the human element of antiquity.

// Tang-period reading: //lɑ̌u.