I. an ‧ tique 1 /ˌænˈtiːk◂/ BrE AmE adjective [usually before noun]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: French ; Origin: Latin antiquus , from ante 'before' ]
antique furniture, jewellery etc is old and often valuable:
an antique rosewood desk
• • •
THESAURUS
■ thing
▪ old :
an old car
|
an old Chinese saying
▪ ancient very old – used about things that existed thousands of years ago, or things that look very old:
ancient civilisations
|
an ancient Rolls Royce
▪ antique antique furniture, clocks, jewellery etc are old and often valuable:
an antique writing desk
▪ age-old used about traditions, problems, or situations that have existed for a very long time:
the age-old tradition of morris dancing
|
the age-old prejudice against women in positions of power
|
the age-old problem of nationalism
|
age-old hatreds between religious groups
II. antique 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
a piece of furniture, jewellery etc that was made a very long time ago and is therefore valuable:
The palace is full of priceless antiques.
They bought the clock at an antique shop in Bath.
an antique dealer (=someone who buys and sells antiques)