ancient

Definitions


[ˈeɪnʃnt], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence
(e.g: the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean)


Phrases:
- the Ancient of Days

Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French ancien, based on Latin ante ‘before’


[ˈeɪnʃnt], (Noun)

Definitions:
- the people of ancient times, especially the Greeks and Romans of classical antiquity
(e.g: we not only have the wisdom of the ancients to draw on, we also have a sophisticated science and technology capability)

- an old man
(e.g: a solitary ancient in a tweed jacket)


Phrases:
- the Ancient of Days

Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French ancien, based on Latin ante ‘before’


[ˈeɪnʃnt], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a standard, flag, or ensign


Phrases:

Origin:
mid 16th century: alteration of ensign by association with ancien, an early form of ancient




definition by Oxford Dictionaries