- ancient
- an|cient1 W2 [ˈeınʃənt] adj[Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: ancien, from Vulgar Latin anteanus, from Latin ante 'before']1.) belonging to a time long ago in history, especially thousands of years ago≠ ↑modern▪ the ancient civilizations of Asia▪ Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japanancient Greece/Egypt/Rome▪ the religion of ancient Egypt2.) having existed for a very long time≠ ↑new▪ an ancient walled city▪ an ancient forest▪ the ancient art of calligraphy3.) very old - used humorously▪ That photo makes me look ancient!4.) ancient historya) the history of ancient societies, such as Greece or Rome▪ a professor of ancient historyb) informal if you say that something is ancient history, you mean that it happened a long time ago and is not important now▪ It's all ancient history and I'm not upset any more.ancient 2ancient2 nthe ancientspeople who lived long ago, especially the Greeks and Romans▪ The ancients believed that the sun and moon were planets.
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.