antiquarian

American  

[an-ti-kwair-ee-uhn] / ˌæn tɪˈkwɛər i ən /

adjective

1. pertaining to antiquaries or to the study of antiquities.

2. of, dealing in, or interested in old or rare books.

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noun

1. an antiquary.

2. a size of drawing and writing paper, 31 × 53 or 29 × 52 inches.

antiquarian British  

/ ˌæntɪˈkwɛərɪən /

adjective

1. concerned with the study of antiquities or antiques

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noun

1. the largest size of handmade drawing paper, 53 × 31 inches

2. a less common name for antiquary

Other Word Forms

• antiquarianism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of antiquarian

1600–10; < Latin antīquāri ( us ) ( see antiquary) + -an

Explanation

Something that's antiquarian is antique, and usually collectible. Antiquarian books are used books that have some value because they're rare. If you go into the antiquarian business, you'll probably buy and sell old things — antique furniture, paintings, or coins, for example. An antiquarian book store has unusual and valuable editions of books for sale. An antiquarian is someone who specializes in, studies, or collects antiques. The word comes from the Latin antiquarius, "pertaining to antiquity."

Example Sentences

The archive will be on display Thursday through Sunday at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair, an event expected to draw curators from museums and research institutions, as well as private collectors.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2025

One of New York’s best window-shopping weekends is back, as the four-day New York International Antiquarian Book Fair returns on Thursday to the Park Avenue Armory in Manhattan.

From New York Times • Apr. 27, 2023

The 2022 New York International Antiquarian Book Fair is the 61st edition of the event, which is being held at the Park Avenue Armory in lower Manhattan.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2022

It will be unveiled April 21, the opening night of the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair and, as it happens, Brontë’s birthday.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 30, 2022

He was a member of the Antiquarian Society of London, of the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society, membre de la Société Française d’Archæologie, &c.

From Norfolk Annals A Chronological Record of Remarkable Events in the Nineteeth Century, Vol. 2 by Mackie, Charles