ancient Hear it!

ancient¹ Definition

an·cient (ān′c̸hənt, -s̸hənt)

adjective

  1. of times long past; belonging to the early history of the world, esp. before the end of the Western Roman Empire ( 476)
  2. having existed a long time; very old
  3. old-fashioned; antiquated
  4. Archaic having the wisdom, dignity, etc. of age; venerable

Etymology: ME auncien < OFr ancien < VL *anteanus < L ante, before: -t by infl. of -ent

noun

  1. a person who lived in ancient times
  2. an aged person

ancient¹ Related Forms

an′·cient·ness noun

ancient¹ Idioms

the ancients

  1. the people who lived in ancient times
  2. the ancient or classical writers and artists, esp. of Greco-Roman times

ancient² Definition

an·cient (ān′c̸hənt, -s̸hənt)

noun

  1. an ensign, or flag
  2. a person carrying an ensign

Etymology: confusion of ensign with earlier ancien, ancient

ancient Synonyms

ancient

modif.

  1. Very old

    antique, antiquated, aged; see old 1, 2, 3, old-fashioned.

  2. Belonging to the early history of the world

    classical, Biblical, early; see classical 2, old 3. Ancient cultures of the Western world include: Roman, Greek, Sumerian, Akkadian, Hittite, Israelite, Egyptian, Hebrew, Chinese, Chaldean, Etruscan, Carthaginian, Babylonian, Phoenician, Mesopotamian, Assyrian, Persian. See syn. study atold.

ancient Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • day: Quære how the name ancient of days is used to distinguish the father from the son?
  • days.: Cartomancy goes back to the ancient of days. The High Priestess was long associated with the Egyptian goddess, Isis.

Converse of object

approach: You remember he approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

Modifies a noun

  • woodland: Ours is the only county to reach double figures in terms of the percentage of land covered by ancient woodland, with 10.4 % .
  • monument: The National Assembly receives advice on matters related to ancient monuments from the Ancient Monuments Board for Wales.
  • Egyptian: Ask the children where they think Ancient Egyptians would have lived?
  • civilization: The British Museum was above all a repository of materials from ancient civilisations.
  • tradition: Feng shui is an honorable calling with an ancient tradition.
  • civilization: Many religions appeared with the development of ancient civilizations in the region.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: History The worship of Shiva is very ancient in India.
  • rather: States, or rather ancient empires, were generally based on land tax and the exercise of military power.
  • especially: Maintenance of buildings, especially ancient buildings, never ends.
  • probably: In fact, there may be more to it than that, and the probably ancient dedication of the church is well-founded.
  • only: What is to be respected about faith based on no evidence, but only ancient books and the word of control freaks?
  • also: Helpers wanted; also ancient utensils or anything else which could give an insight into the towns ' past.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: Inside are elaborate model train sets - some seem more ancient than the engines on display outside.
  • explore: Day 1: your first day is free to explore ancient Volterra.
  • look: The old shape Range Rover 4x4 now looks ancient.
  • bring: Also brilliantly done was how the author vividly brought ancient Rome, and especially ancient Roman politics, to life.
  • connect: Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left.