Of a story or account: relating to or on the subject of past times.

Belonging to or characteristic of former times, esp. with reference to picturesqueness, or to the charm and courtesy supposed to have prevailed in…

Of an area of study: based on an analysis of development over a period of time; in connection with history; from the point of view of a historian…

Of, belonging to, or characteristic of ancient times.

Characteristic or reminiscent of the old world (in either sense): (a) quaint, old-fashioned; (b) European rather than North American in character.