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ancient

adjective
an·​cient | \ ˈān(t)-shənt How to pronounce ancient (audio) , 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 : 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 sense 2a)
b : one of the classical authors Plutarch and other ancients
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
Other Words from ancient Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about ancient

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Other Words from ancient

Adjective

ancientness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for ancient

Synonyms: Adjective

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

Antonyms: Adjective

modern, new, recent

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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

Examples of ancient in a Sentence

Adjective

 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.
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First Known Use of ancient

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1502, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1554, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for ancient

Adjective and Noun (1)

Middle English ancien, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *anteanus, from Latin ante before — more at ante-

Noun (2)

alteration of ensign

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More Definitions for ancient

ancient

adjective
How to pronounce ancient (audio)

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 How to pronounce ancient (audio) \

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

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