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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. [Middle English auncien, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *anteānus : Latin ante, before; see ant- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + -ānus, adj. and n. suff.] ancient·ly adv. ancient·ness n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. 1. Archaic An ensign; a flag. 2. Obsolete A flag-bearer or lieutenant. [Alteration of ENSIGN.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
