ancient

Meaning

Adj

1. Having lasted from a remote period; having been of long duration; of great age, very old.
2. Existent or occurring in time long past, usually in remote ages; belonging to or associated with antiquity; old, as opposed to modern.
3. Relating to antiquity as a primarily European historical period; the time before the Middle Ages.
4. (obsolete) Experienced; versed.
5. (obsolete) Former; sometime.

Noun

1. A person who is very old.
2. A person who lived in ancient times.
3. (UK) One of the senior members of the Inns of Court or of Chancery.
4. (obsolete) A senior; an elder; a predecessor.

Noun

1. (archaic) A flag, banner, standard or ensign.
2. (obsolete, rare) The bearer of a flag; ensign.

Synonyms

old

🧓

antique

archaic

aged

very old

age-old

old-fashioned

antiquated

primitive

primeval

former

past

old-time

outmoded

immemorial

olden

everlasting

hoary

outdated

eternal

bygone

antediluvian

centuries-old

elder

venerable

worn out

decrepit

ancestor

classical

of long standing

belonging to the past

early

old person

Old

permanent

primaeval

primordial

original

dated

old man

frail

older

out of date

first

1st

feeble

long ago

longstanding

obsolete

eldest

at night

Translations

antico

ancien

🧓

antiguo

🧓

antique

alt

🧓

antigo

αρχαίος

antik

antik

altertümlich

antiek

vieux

🧓

ouderwets

uralt

antic

🧓

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: auncyen

In summary

From Middle English auncyen, from Old French ancien, from Vulgar Latin *anteānus, composed of Latin ante (“before”) + -ānus (adjective-forming suffix). The non-etymological /t/ is by analogy with the common ending -ent.

Sentences

The ancient cry for a Holy War rang through the streets .

She specializes in the field of ancient glass .

It is called the Sistine Chapel of Ancient Egypt .

Ancient historians described the area as Raetia and its inhabitants as Raeti.

The area of present-day Marumori was part of ancient Mutsu Province .