Definition of ancient
1 : having had an existence of many years ancient customs
2 : of or relating to a remote period, to a time early in history, or to those living in such a period or time ancient Egyptians; especially : of or relating to the historical period beginning with the earliest known civilizations and extending to the fall of the western Roman Empire in a.d. 476 studied both ancient and modern history
3 : having the qualities of age or long existence: such asa : venerableb : old-fashioned, antique
ancientness
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
Examples of ancient in a Sentence
The people in the village still observe the ancient customs of their ancestors.
a grove of ancient oak trees
The practice was more common in ancient times than it is now.
the gods of the ancient Romans
She studied both ancient and modern history.
Origin and Etymology of ancient
Middle English ancien, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *anteanus, from Latin ante before — more at ante-
Synonym Discussion of ancient
ancient
Definition of ancient
1 : an aged living being a penniless ancient
2 : a person who lived in ancient times:a ancients plural : the civilized people of antiquity; especially : those of the classical nations (see classical 2a)b : one of the classical authors Plutarch and other ancients
3 : an ancient coin
Origin and Etymology of ancient
see 1ancient
Origin and Etymology of ancient
alteration of ensign
ANCIENT Defined for English Language Learners
ancient
playDefinition of ancient for English Language Learners
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: very old : having lived or existed for a very long time
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: of, coming from, or belonging to a time that was long ago in the past
ANCIENT Defined for Kids
Definition of ancient for Students
1 : very old ancient customs
2 : of or relating to a time long past or to those living in such a time ancient Egypt
Definition of ancient for Students
1 : a very old person
2 ancients plural : the civilized peoples of ancient times and especially of Greece and Rome
Law Dictionary
ancient
Legal Definition of ancient
: existing from a long past date; specifically : having had an uninterrupted existence of 20 to 30 or more years
Additional Notes on ancient
Things and especially documents that are ancient benefit from a presumption that they are valid even though proof of their validity may be unavailable due to lapse of memory, absence of witnesses, or loss of documents.
Learn More about ancient
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ancient Spanish Central: Translation of ancient Nglish: Translation of ancient for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ancient for Arabic speakers
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