antiquarian

[ an-ti-kwair-ee-uhn ]

adjective

1. pertaining to antiquaries or to the study of antiquities.
2. of, dealing in, or interested in old or rare books.

noun

1. an antiquary.
2. a size of drawing and writing paper, 31 × 53 or 29 × 52 inches.

antiquarian

/ ˌæntɪˈkwɛərɪən /

adjective

1. concerned with the study of antiquities or antiques

noun

1. the largest size of handmade drawing paper, 53 × 31 inches
2. a less common name for antiquary

Derived Forms

• ˌantiˈquarianism, noun

Other Words From

• anti·quari·an·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of antiquarian¹

1600–10; < Latin antīquāri ( us ) ( antiquary ) + -an

Example Sentences

In 1650, a Danish physician and antiquarian named Ole Worm conducted the first survey of a Viking cremation burial site known as the Kalvestene.

From Ars Technica

McMurtry, a onetime co-owner of a bookstore in Washington’s Georgetown neighborhood, also was an obsessive collector of antiquarian books.

From Washington Post

But the world of antiquarian maps presented powerful temptations.

From The Daily Beast

The Krogers were set up in Britain as antiquarian booksellers.

From The Daily Beast

Samuel Squire, bishop of St. David's died; a poetical, historical and antiquarian writer of note.

From Project Gutenberg

If such a realization had only come a hundred years ago, a great service would have been done the historian and the antiquarian.

From Project Gutenberg

The town itself contains no buildings of antiquarian interest, but it has some fine modern edifices.

From Project Gutenberg

Vast numbers of lamps have been found in the Catacombs, and specimens abound in almost every antiquarian museum.

From Project Gutenberg

A great history must have other merits besides accuracy, antiquarian research, and presentation of authorities and notes.

From Project Gutenberg