ANCIENT


Meaning of ANCIENT in English

I. ˈānshənt, ˈānch- also ˈāŋ(k)sh- adjective

( often -er/-est )

Etymology: Middle English ancien, from Middle French, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin anteanus, from Latin ante before + -anus -an — more at ante-

1. : having had an existence of many years : old:

a. : aged

a strangely dressed ancient man

b. archaic : of long standing in some capacity or relation

an ancient champion still defending his title

c. : existing from a long-past date or period : of early origin

an ancient landmark

the ancient rights of freemen

d. : having had an uninterrupted existence of 20 or 30 or more years — used of various things the continued existence of which for such a period gives rise to a presumption of legal validity in aid of the defect in proof due to lapse of memory, absence of witnesses, or loss of documents

2. : belonging or relating to a remote period, to a time early in history, or to those who lived in such a period or time ; specifically : belonging or relating to the historical period beginning with the earliest known civilizations and extending to the fall of the western Roman Empire A.D.476 — compare medieval , modern

3. : having the qualities of age or long existence:

a. of a person

(1) : venerable

(2) : adept by reason of long experience : wise

b. : old-fashioned , antique

dressed in ancient garb

4. obsolete : former , bygone , sometime

Synonyms: see old

II. noun

( -s )

1. : an aged living being:

a. : a patriarchal or venerable man or woman

a dignified ancient

b.

(1) obsolete : one older in age : senior — usually used with the possessive

(2) archaic : an elder in his capacity as dignitary

2. obsolete : ancestor

3. : one who lived in ancient times:

a. ancients plural : the civilized peoples of antiquity ; especially : those of the classical nations — usually used with the

the religions of the ancients

b. : one of the classical authors

Plutarch and other ancients

4. archaic : one of the senior members forming the governing body of the Inns of Court or of Chancery

5. : an ancient coin

III. noun

( -s )

Etymology: alteration (influenced by ancient ) (I) of ensign

1. archaic : an ensign, standard, or flag

2. or ancient bearer obsolete : the bearer of an ensign

my ancient , a man he is of honesty and trust — Shakespeare

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.