Crossword Genius

We hear ocean adjoined river of old (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

senile

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'old' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'we hear ocean adjoined river' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'river' could be 'nile' (Nile River is an example) and 'nile' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'se' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for senile that I've seen before include "Doddering" , "Old and infirm" , "Mentally weak due to old age" , "In one's dotage" , "Old and doddery" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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