antiquity

American  

[an-tik-wi-tee] / ænˈtɪk wɪ ti /

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.

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antiquity British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• preantiquity noun
• subantiquity noun

Etymology

Origin of antiquity

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

Example Sentences

In the waterfront building known as the red citadel -- once the seat of power -- visitors journey through a history that includes ancient art, Greek and Roman antiquities and Ottoman-era weapons and jewellery.

From Barron's

In later ages of Greco-Roman antiquity, we hear of numerous men, and even some women, who followed the path of the dog.

From The Wall Street Journal

It has everything: cyphers, priceless antiquities, a rogue circus troupe.

From Salon

Since leaving government, Osborne has edited London’s Evening Standard newspaper, advised a BlackRock investment institute and chaired the British Museum through a crisis related to missing antiquities.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• antique
• relic