antiquary

[ an-ti-kwer-ee ]

noun

, plural an·ti·quar·ies.

1. an expert on or student of antiquities.
2. a collector of antiquities.

antiquary

/ ˈæntɪkwərɪ /

noun

1. a person who collects, deals in, or studies antiques, ancient works of art, or ancient times Also calledantiquarian

Word History and Origins

Origin of antiquary¹

1555–65; < Latin antīquārius a student of the past, equivalent to antīqu ( us ) ancient, old ( antique ) + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

James, the English antiquary and ghost-story writer, to whose work I am devoted.

From Washington Post

The grand building, built by William Henry Playfair, has stood in the centre of Edinburgh for almost 200 years, housing many exhibitions over the years on subjects ranging from Scottish antiquaries to Andy Warhol.

From BBC

Wilson structures “A Magical World” as essentially a series of lightly sketched biographies of the era’s most prominent theologians, philosophers, physicians, cosmographers and antiquaries.

From Washington Post

Yet Irwin is hardly a dry-as-dust antiquary, and “Wonders Will Never Cease” frequently reveals the wide range of his reading: His description of the world’s end was obviously adapted from H.G.

From Washington Post

“Surely my stars impelled me to be an antiquary,” he wrote.

From New York Times

Related Words

• connoisseur
• hobbyist