Antiquity

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ænˈtɪk.kwÊŒ.ti/

Origin

From Middle English antiquytee, from Old French antiquité, from Latin antiquitas, from antiquus; see antique, antic. Compare with French antiquité.

Full definition of antiquity

Noun

1. Ancient times; former ages; times long since past.
   Cicero was an eloquent orator of antiquity.
2. The ancients; the people of ancient times.
• That such pillars were raised by Seth all antiquity has avowed. —Sir W. Raleigh.
3. (obsolete) An old gentleman.
• You are a shrewd antiquity, neighbor Clench. —B. Jonson.
4. (often constructed as an uncountable plural) A relic or monument of ancient times; as, a coin, a statue, etc.; an ancient institution.
5. State of being ancient or of ancient lineage.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 5, He was thinking; but the glory of the song, the swell from the great organ, the clustered lights, …, the height and vastness of this noble fane, its antiquity and its strength—all these things seemed to have their part as causes of the thrilling emotion that accompanied his thoughts.

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