~ 1
■ adjective belonging to or originating in the very distant past.
↘ chiefly humorous very old.
■ noun
1》 archaic or humorous an old man.
2》 ( the ~s ) the people of ~ times, especially the classical Greeks and Romans.
Phrases
the Ancient of Days a biblical title for God.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. ancien , based on L. ante 'before'.
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~ 2
■ noun archaic a standard, flag, or ensign.
Origin
C16: alt. of ensign by assoc. with ancien , an early form of ~ 1 .