antiquity

[an-tik-wi-tee]

noun

plural

antiquities 

1. the quality of being ancient; ancientness.

   a bowl of great antiquity.

2. ancient times; former ages.

   the splendor of antiquity.

3. the period of history before the Middle Ages.

4. the peoples, nations, tribes, or cultures of ancient times.

5. Usually antiquities. something belonging to or remaining from ancient times, as monuments, relics, or customs.

antiquity

/ ænˈtɪkwɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality of being ancient or very old

   a vase of great antiquity

2. the far distant past, esp the time preceding the Middle Ages in Europe

3. the people of ancient times collectively; the ancients

Other Word Forms

• preantiquity noun
• subantiquity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of antiquity¹

1350–1400; Middle English antiquite < Anglo-French < Latin antīquitās, equivalent to antīqu ( us ) old ( antique ) + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

This wasn’t the rule of the Greeks, Romans or Macedonians of antiquity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The use of such lists goes back to the days of antiquity; for all we know there were well-organized Neanderthals jotting their daily schedules on the walls of caves.

Read more on Literature

“In honor of the great orations of antiquity,” Alexander intoned.

Read more on Literature

Attempts to remain beneath the sea for a significant amount of time date back to antiquity.

Read more on Literature

Prominent Egyptologists are hoping the museum will strengthen demands for key antiquities held in other countries to be returned.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• antique 
• relic