ancien régime

American  

[ahn-syan rey-zheem] / ɑ̃ sjɛ̃ reɪˈʒim /

noun

French.

anciens régimes plural

1. the political and social system of France before the revolution of 1789.

2. the system of government during this period.

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ancien régime British  

/ ɑ̃sjɛ̃ reʒim /

noun

1. the political and social system of France before the Revolution of 1789

2. a former or outdated regime

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ancien régime Cultural  

1. The political and social order that prevailed in France before the French Revolution, built on a belief in absolute monarchy and the divine right of kings.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• anciens régimes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ancien régime

First recorded in 1790–95; from French; literally, “old rule”

Example Sentences

They include exiles and fugitives who served in the ancien régime, as well as some of their children.

From New York Times • Mar. 2, 2021

It was a building that was all crisp Modernism on the outside, buttery ancien régime within.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2019

Still, it was striking to see Dilma, of all people, get along so well with representatives of the ancien régime.

From Slate • Aug. 7, 2016

Everything is judged according to sacred precepts—“harmony,” “impulsion,” “self-carriage,” “submission”—that have come down intact from the ancien régime.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 1, 2016

They seem to unite the stoicism of the American Indian to the politeness of the Frenchman of the ancien régime.

From The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 3, March, 1852 by Various