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ANILE (ANN-eyel)

Of or like a feeble, doddering old woman
Common clues: Old-womanish; Doddering; Like an old woman; Feeble; Crone-like
Crossword puzzle frequency: once a year
Video: Georgian TV Locates 130-year-old Woman

Head of an Old Woman (1856), by Edouard Manet

Arachne scowled; abrupt, aggrieved, morose, she dropped her threads; and though she kept her hand from striking out, her rage was clear – it showed upon Arachne’s face as she replied to Pallas (sho was still disguised): Old age has addled you; your wits are gone; too long a life has left you anile, stale undone. Your drivel might appeal to your dear daughter-in-law, if you have one, or else your daughter, if you have one. As for advice, I can advise myself.

[Source: The Metamorphoses of Ovid, by Ovid]