antediluvian

an·te·di·lu·vi·an

adjective \ˌan-ti-də-ˈlü-vē-ən, -(ˌ)dī-\

Definition of ANTEDILUVIAN

1

: of or relating to the period before the flood described in the Bible

2

a : made, evolved, or developed a long time ago <an antediluvian automobile>

b : extremely primitive or outmoded <an antediluvian prejudice>

— antediluvian noun

Examples of ANTEDILUVIAN

1. He has antediluvian notions about the role of women in the workplace.
2. <found evidence in the Middle East of an antediluvian people previously unknown to history>

Origin of ANTEDILUVIAN

ante- + Latin diluvium flood — more at deluge

First Known Use: 1646

Related to ANTEDILUVIAN

Synonyms

aged, age-old, ancient, antique, dateless, hoar, hoary, immemorial, old, venerable

Antonyms

modern, new, recent

Related Words

aging (or ageing), mature; antiquated, archaic, archaistic, dated, fusty, geriatric, medieval (also mediaeval), moldy, Noachian, obsolete, outmoded, out-of-date, passé; old-fashioned, old-time, old-world, retro, vintage; durable, enduring, lasting, long-lived, permanent; ageless, hallowed, time-honored, timeless, time-tested, timeworn, traditional, tried, tried-and-true; classic, classical; prehistoric (also prehistorical), primeval, primordial

Near Antonyms

fresh, vernal, young, youthful; contemporary, current, latest, mod, novel, present-day, ultramodern; untested, untried; brand-new, unused, unworn

Other Bible Terms

apocalyptic, apocrypha, behemoth