ancien régime
[ ahn-syan rey-zheem ]
/ ɑ̃ syɛ̃ reɪˈʒim /
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noun, plural an·ciens ré·gimes [ahn-syan rey-zheem]. /ɑ̃ syɛ̃ reɪˈʒim/. French.
the political and social system of France before the revolution of 1789.
the system of government during this period.
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Origin of ancien régime
First recorded in 1790–95; from French; literally, “old rule”
Words nearby ancien régime
anchusin, anchylose, anchylostomiasis, Ancienne-Lorette, ancienne noblesse, ancien régime, ancient, Ancient Greek, ancient history, ancient lights, anciently
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for ancien régime
British Dictionary definitions for ancien régime
ancien régime
/ French (ɑ̃sjɛ̃ reʒim) /
noun plural anciens régimes (ɑ̃sjɛ̃ reʒim)
the political and social system of France before the Revolution of 1789
a former or outdated regime
Word Origin for ancien régime
literally: old regime
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for ancien régime
ancien régime
[ (ahnn-syann ray-zheem) ]
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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.