old-line

adjective

adhering to conservative or reactionary principles

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an oldline senator

• Syn: ↑oldline

• Similar to: ↑right

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\\ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷\ adjective

Etymology: from the phrase old line

1.

a. : having a reputation or authority based on seniority : established, experienced

old-line bankers, remembering 1929, shuddered at the shaky loans their young executives … were willing to make — H.H.Martin

there is not a single old-line movie company that doesn't now have some business connection with television — T.M.Pryor

he is an old-line Yankee

b. : out of date : old-fashioned

endorsement of the old-line and supposedly discredited control — S.H.Adams

2. : adhering to old policies or practices : conservative, traditional

the old-line purchasing agent who … defies improvements — G.W.H.Ahl

old-line political parties … had lost the confidence of the public — A.P.Whitaker

earned … the displeasure of the old-line Humanists — G.C.Sellery

3. : of or relating to a legal-reserve insurance company established prior to the rise of fraternal benefit societies

most old-line policies cannot be turned in for cash till after the third year — Time

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/ohld"luyn"/, adj.

1. following or supporting conservative or traditional ideas, beliefs, customs, etc.

2. long established; traditional: old-line society.

[1855-60]

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oldˈ-line adjective (N American)

1. Conservative

2. Traditional

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Main Entry: ↑old

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old-line «OHLD LYN», adjective.

1. keeping to old ideas and ways; conservative: »

an old-line banker.

2. having a long history; established: »

an old-line company.

3. of an old family or lineage.

╂[American English, perhaps < the Old-line regiments, which Maryland contributed in the American Revolutionary War]

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adj.

1) holding conservative views

2) well established

•

Derivatives:

old-liner n.

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/ˈoʊldˈlaın/ adj, always used before a noun [more \old-line; most \old-line]

US

1 a : having a good reputation because of the high quality of a service, product, etc., that has been provided for many years

We made sure he used an old-line law firm.

old-line wine producers

1 b : powerful and important in a society for a long time

old-line Virginia families

2 : supporting traditional policies or practices : not encouraging or liking change within an organization

His more old-line colleagues expressed their concern with the changes.

an old-line Democrat