1. (a.) Long exercised in anything, especially in military life and the duties of a soldier; long practiced or experienced; as, a veteran officer or soldier; veteran skill.

2. (n.) One who has been long exercised in any service or art, particularly in war; one who has had.

Father Time Methuselah Nestor Old Paar blase campaigner centenarian cosmopolitan cosmopolite dotard elder experienced expert gaffer geezer golden-ager gramps grandfather grandsire graybeard knowing master mature matured nonagenarian not born yesterday octogenarian old old campaigner old chap old codger old dog old duffer old geezer old gent old gentleman old hand old man old party old pro old salt old sea dog old soldier old-time old-timer older oldster pantaloon past master patriarch practical practiced presbyter ripe ripened sagacious salt seasoned seasoned veteran senior citizen septuagenarian sexagenarian shellback skilled sophisticated the quiet-voiced elders tried tried and true trouper venerable sir versed vet war-horse warhorse wise world-wise worldly worldly-wise