This is the 873rd most frequent Estonian word.
elanud
"Elanud" means "lived" in English.
In this sentence, 'elanud' indicates a past perfect continuous action, reflecting a state of living that started and likely continued over a certain period before the referenced time.
Ta oli üksildases majas juba ammu elanud.
He had lived in the lonely house for a long time.
'Elanud' in this context signifies completed continuous action in the past, with emphasis on the characteristic of their hidden living.
Nad olid kaua metsas varjatult elanud.
They had lived hidden in the forest for a long time.
Here, 'elanud' introduces a narrative or storytelling past tense, setting the stage for a past event or scenario.