[an.tic] n [It antico ancient thing or person, fr. antico ancient, fr. L antiquus--more at antique] (1529) 1: an attention-drawing often wildly playful or funny act or action: caper "childish ~s"
2. archaic: a performer of a grotesque or ludicrous part: buffoon
[2]antic adj (1548) 1 archaic: grotesque, bizarre
2. a: characterized by clownish extravagance or absurdity b: whimsically gay: frolicsome -- an.ti.cal.ly adv