ancient

an·cient | \ ˈān(t)-shənt

, ˈāŋ(k)-shənt \

Definition of ancient

(Entry 1 of 3)

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 as

a : venerable

b : old-fashioned, antique

ancient

noun (1)

Definition of ancient (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a person who lived in ancient times:

a ancients plural : the civilized people of antiquity especially : those of the classical nations (see classical sense 2a)

b : one of the classical authors Plutarch and other ancients

2 : an aged living being a penniless ancient

3 : an ancient coin

ancient

noun (2)

Definition of ancient (Entry 3 of 3)

1 archaic : ensign, standard, flag

2 obsolete : the bearer of an ensign

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Choose the Right Synonym for ancient

Adjective

old, ancient, venerable, antique, antiquated, archaic, obsolete mean having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past. old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence. old houses an old sweater of mine ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past. ancient accounts of dragons venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age. the family's venerable patriarch antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time. collected antique Chippendale furniture antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time. antiquated teaching methods archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time. the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence. a computer that makes earlier models obsolete

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Cite this Entry

“Ancient.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ancient. Accessed 22 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for ancient

ancient

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of ancient

: very old : having lived or existed for a very long time

: of, coming from, or belonging to a time that was long ago in the past

See the full definition for ancient in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ancient

adjective

an·cient | \ ˈān-shənt

Kids Definition of ancient

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : very old ancient customs

2 : of or relating to a time long past or to those living in such a time ancient Egypt

ancient

noun

Kids Definition of ancient (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a very old person

2 ancients plural : the civilized peoples of ancient times and especially of Greece and Rome

ancient

adjective

an·cient

Legal Definition of ancient

: existing from a long past date specifically : having had an uninterrupted existence of 20 to 30 or more years

Note: 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.

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