antiquity

[ an-tik-wi-tee ]

noun

, plural an·tiq·ui·ties.

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 Words From

• prean·tiqui·ty noun plural preantiquities
• suban·tiqui·ty noun plural subantiquities

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

The research is published in the academic journal Antiquity.

From BBC

Standing where the historic and purportedly haunted Hotel Alexandria’s ballroom once saw her glory days hosting the likes of Charlie Chaplin, this Belle Epoch-style Parisian cocktail bar isn’t afraid of leaning into spooky antiquity.

From Los Angeles Times

Through his lens, Lincoln becomes an anchor to look at society’s view of same-sex relationships back to antiquity and connect it to modern views of sexual fluidity and legislative pushback via anti-LGBTQIA+ bill proposals in Congress and state legislatures.

From Salon

But also, getting into the film, you take a look at antiquity.

From Salon

In the new game, a player might start off as the Romans, building their own Londinium in what it calls the antiquity era.

From BBC

Related Words

• antique
• relic