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antique definition

an·tique (an tēk′)

adjective

  1. of ancient times; ancient; old
  2. out-of-date; old-fashioned
  3. in the style of classical antiquity
  4. of, or in the style of, a former period
  5. dealing in antiques

Etymology: Fr < L antiquus, ancient, old < ante, before

noun

  1. anything from ancient times; relic
  2. the ancient style, esp. of Greek or Roman sculpture, architecture, etc.
  3. a piece of furniture, silverware, etc. made in a former period, generally more than 100 years ago

transitive verb antiqued -·tiqued′, antiquing -·tiqu′ing

to make look antique, as in the style of a former period

intransitive verb

to look for or shop for antique furniture, articles, etc.

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

antique Synonyms

antique

modif.

  1. Old

    ancient, archaic, old; see old 3.

  2. Old-fashioned

    obsolete, obsolescent, out-of-date; see old-fashioned. See syn. study atold.


antique

n.

relic, artifact, heirloom, curio, bibelot, collectible, collector's item, old example, early example, ancient evidence, ancient representative, outmoded example, survival, rarity, monument, vestige, objet d'art (French), ruin, Rosetta stone; used in pl.: antiquities, reliques; see also art 3, furniture, manuscript.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

antique Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • sell: This market, whose history can be traced back into the Middle Ages, is a huge antiques market, mainly selling English antiques.

Adjective modifier

  • priceless: He owned thousands of acres of land, dozens of palaces, and priceless antiques.

Modifies a noun

  • furniture: The hotel rooms are equipped with original antique furniture.

Modifying Another Word

  • pretty: A really pretty antique French Jet graduated beaded collar necklace, dating to circa 1920.

Noun used with modifier

  • reproduction: The glass was described quite openly as reproduction antique, it was illustrated in catalogs, and some pieces even bear a factory mark.
antique usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

antique quotes

I met a traveller from an antique land Who said:Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert.

-Shelley, Percy Bysshe

Where is the antique glory now become, What whilom wont in women to appear? Where be the brave achievements doen by some? Where be the battles, where the shield and spear, And all the conquests, which them high did rear, That matter made for famous poet's verse, And boastful men so oft abashed to hear? Bene theyall dead, and laid in doleful hearse? Or doen they only sleep, and shall again reverse?

-Spenser, Edmund

We shift and bedeck and bedrape us, Thou art noble and nude and antique.

-Swinburne, Algernon Charles

antique quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"antique." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/antique>

APA Style

antique. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/antique

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