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.
