ancien régime

American  

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

noun

French.

plural

anciens régimes

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 a former or outdated regime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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Etymology

Origin of ancien régime

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

Example Sentences

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2019

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

But she won admission to France’s royal academy and became one of the leading portraitists of the ancien régime.

From The Guardian • Feb. 12, 2016

It was said that ancien régime French chefs aspired to give fish the flavor of meat, meat the flavor of fish and vegetables no flavor at all.

From New York Times • Oct. 29, 2015

Certainly the stars in their courses fought against the ancien régime.

From William Pitt and the Great War by Rose, John Holland