ancientness

an·cient ¹

 (ān′shənt)

adj.

1. Of, relating to, or belonging to times long past, especially before the fall of the Western Roman Empire (ad 476): ancient cultures. See Synonyms at old.

2. Of great age; very old: "The males live up to six months—positively ancient, for a bee" (Elizabeth Royte).

3. Archaic Having the qualities associated with age, wisdom, or long use; venerable: "You seem a sober, ancient Gentleman by your habit" (Shakespeare).

n.

1. A very old person.

2. A person who lived in times long past.

3. ancients

a. The peoples of the classical nations of antiquity.

b. The ancient Greek and Roman authors.

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[Middle English auncien, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *anteānus : Latin ante, before; see ant- in Indo-European roots + -ānus, adj. and n. suff.]

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an′cient·ly adv.

an′cient·ness n.

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an·cient ²

 (ān′shənt)

n.

1. Archaic An ensign; a flag.

2. Obsolete A flag-bearer or lieutenant.

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[Alteration of ensign.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ancientness - extreme oldness       antiquity oldness - the quality of being old; the opposite of newness

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Translations

vetustà