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an·tique (ăn-tēk)
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adj.
1. Belonging to, made in, or typical of an earlier period: antique furniture. See Synonyms at old.
2. Of or belonging to ancient times, especially of, from, or characteristic of ancient Greece or Rome.
3.
a. Relating to or dealing in antiques.
b. Having the appearance of an antique.
4. Old-fashioned; outdated: wore a suit of rather antique appearance.
n.
1. An object having special value because of its age, especially a domestic item or piece of furniture or handicraft esteemed for its artistry, beauty, or period of origin.
2. The style or manner of ancient times, especially that of ancient Greek or Roman art: an admirer of the antique.
v. an·tiqued, an·tiqu·ing, an·tiques
v.tr.
To give the appearance of an antique to: antiqued an oak chest.
v.intr.
To hunt or shop for antiques.
[French, from Latin antīquus; see ant- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
an·tiquely adv.
an·tiqueness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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