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 ) ( antiquary ) + -an

Example Sentences

The Civil Guard police force has also released an antiquarian suspected of having received the items, the court added.

From Barron's

This last weekend, Rare Books L.A. transformed Union Station’s historic ticket hall into a bustling biblio-bazaar, drawing more than 50 antiquarian booksellers and collectors from across the country.

From Los Angeles Times

Vintage cookbooks are a curious subdivision of the thriving antiquarian trade.

From New York Times

The bookish antiquarians may be held in public affection, but they are not going to stop the Olympics' first ever fluvial overture.

From BBC

We have serious readers now, as we had before — and we had the serious antiquarian bookshops for them and for serious collectors.

From Los Angeles Times