Sekirov Dictionary

ancient

/ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

adjective 5
noun 6
forms 6
phrases 1

adjective5

•
from or connected with a time very far in the past, thousands of years ago
- The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates promoted wine for various purposes, including reducing fevers and dressing wounds. — 2022
Relating to antiquity as a primarily European historical period; the time before the Middle Ages.
Having lasted from a remote period; having been of long duration; of great age, very old.
•
(no longer used) Former; sometime.
- They mourned their ancient leader lost. — 1715
•
(no longer used) Experienced; versed.
- approved by the consent of the moste ancient doctors of the Churche [part of the book title] — 1550

noun6

•
A person who lived in ancient times.
- What is ancient for us was in its own time a reworking of what was ancient for the ancients. — 1981
•
A person who is very old.
- Hetty and Mrs. Piper watched them with a lynx-eyed understanding and before the ancient was well upon his road his way was blocked by Hetty. — 1930
(UK) One of the senior members of the Inns of Court or of Chancery.
•
(no longer used) A senior; an elder; a predecessor.
- Junius and Andronicus […] in Christianity […] were his ancients. — 1594
•
(no longer used) A flag, banner, standard or ensign.
- I got all things ready as he had directed, and waited the next morning with the boat washed clean, her ancient and pendants out, and everything to accommodate his guests.. — 1719
(no longer used, rare) The bearer of a flag; ensign.

forms

ancients · ancienter · more ancient · ancientest · ancientmost · most ancient

Phrases with ancient

ancient history
A period of history generally seen as occurring before the Middle Ages, that is, before the fall of the Roman Empire. Includes Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.

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