adj. [for the numbers twenty to seventy the Icel, say tvítugr, … sjautugr; but for eighty to one hundred and twenty, áttræðr, níræðr, tíræðr, tólfræðr].

1. temp, numbering eighty years of age, (hálfáttræðr, that of seventy-six to eighty): á. karl, an octogenarian, Ld. 150. Eighty years of age is the terminus ultimus in the eyes of the law; an octogenarian is no lawful witness; he cannot dispose of land or priesthood (goðorð) without the consent of his heir; if he marries without the consent of his lawful heir, children begotten of that marriage are not to inherit his property, etc.; ef maðr kvángast er á. er eðr ellri, etc., Grág. i. 178; á. maðr né ellri skal hvárki selja land né gorðorð undan erfingja sinum, nema hann megi eigi eiga fyrir skuld, 224; ef maðr nefnir vátta … mann tólf vetra gamlan eðr ellra … áttröðan eðr yngra, ii. 20.

2. loc. measuring eighty fathoms (ells …) in height, breadth, depth …: also of a ship with eighty oars [cp. Germ, ruder], Eg. 599, Vm. 108; vide áttærr.