ancient1
  
  adj.
 belonging to or originating in the very distant past. 
▸chiefly humorous very old.
n.
  - archaic or humorous an old man.
- 
(the ancients)
 the people of ancient times, especially the classical Greeks and Romans.
Phrase
  
    
      - the Ancient of Days
 a biblical title for God.
 
  Derivative
  
    - anciently adv.
- ancientness n.
 
  Etymology
  ME: from OFr. ancien, based on L. ante ‘before’.
 
  
    
ancient2
  
  n.
 archaic a standard, flag, or ensign.
Etymology
  C16: alt. of ensign by assoc. with ancien, an early form of ancient1.