| 释义 |
an·cient
I. \ˈānshənt, ˈānch- also ˈāŋ(k)sh-\ adjective
(often -er/-est)
Etymology: Middle English ancien, from Middle French, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin anteanus, from Latin ante before + -anus -an — more at ante-
1. : having had an existence of many years : old:
a. : aged
< a strangely dressed ancient man >
b. archaic : of long standing in some capacity or relation
< an ancient champion still defending his title >
c. : existing from a long-past date or period : of early origin
< an ancient landmark >
< the ancient rights of freemen >
d. : having had an uninterrupted existence of 20 or 30 or more years — used of various things the continued existence of which for such a period gives rise to a presumption of legal validity in aid of the defect in proof due to lapse of memory, absence of witnesses, or loss of documents
2. : belonging or relating to a remote period, to a time early in history, or to those who lived in such a period or time; specifically : belonging or relating to the historical period beginning with the earliest known civilizations and extending to the fall of the western Roman Empire A.D.476 — compare medieval, modern
3. : having the qualities of age or long existence:
a. of a person
(1) : venerable
(2) : adept by reason of long experience : wise
b. : old-fashioned, antique
< dressed in ancient garb >
4. obsolete : former, bygone, sometime
Synonyms: see old
II. noun
(-s)
1. : an aged living being:
a. : a patriarchal or venerable man or woman
< a dignified ancient >
b.
(1) obsolete : one older in age : senior — usually used with the possessive
(2) archaic : an elder in his capacity as dignitary
2. obsolete : ancestor
3. : one who lived in ancient times:
a. ancients plural : the civilized peoples of antiquity; especially : those of the classical nations — usually used with the
< the religions of the ancients >
b. : one of the classical authors
< Plutarch and other ancients >
4. archaic : one of the senior members forming the governing body of the Inns of Court or of Chancery
5. : an ancient coin
III. noun
(-s)
Etymology: alteration (influenced by ancient) (I) of ensign
1. archaic : an ensign, standard, or flag
2. or ancient bearer obsolete : the bearer of an ensign
< my ancient, a man he is of honesty and trust — Shakespeare > |