ancient etymology

Etymology

The word "ancient" is derived from the Old French word "ancien," which itself comes from the Latin word "antecedens," meaning "going before." It is related to the words "ancestor" and "antecedent."

Meaning

The word "ancient" has several meanings, including:

• Of or belonging to a time long past:
  • "The ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii"
• Of or relating to people or things that existed in a time long past:
  • "The ancient Egyptians were famous for their pyramids"
• Old-fashioned or outdated:
  • "Her ancient beliefs prevented her from embracing modern ideas"

Origin

The concept of comparing something to a former time can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who used the word "archaios" to describe something that was old or antique. The Romans adopted the word as "antiquus," which was later used in Old French as "ancien."

The word "ancient" entered the English language in the 12th century, originally meaning "belonging to a former time." It gradually acquired its other meanings, including "old-fashioned" and "outdated," over the course of the following centuries.

ancient relate terms

• ensign

  Etymology Middle French ensine from Late Latin insignia neuter plural of insigni

• insignia

  Insignia Etymology The word insignia originates from the Latin word insigne meaning

• ancient

  Etymology The word ancient is derived from the Old French word ancien which itself c

• regime

  Etymology of regime The word regime comes from the French word régime which in t

• pageant

  Etymology The word pageant comes from the Old French word pageant which in turn is

• pheasant

  Etymology The word pheasant comes from the Greek word phasianos which originally re

• antediluvian

  Etymology The word antediluvian is derived from the Latin phrase ante diluvium whic

• antiquity

  Etymology Latin antiquus meaning ancient old From Proto Indo European h₂en meanin

• drachma

  Etymology The word drachma originates from the Greek word drakme δραχμή whi

• scarab

  Etymology Origin Ancient Egyptian Kepher Meaning Sacred Rolling Beetle Meaning a

• tribune

  Etymology Latin tribunus meaning leader of a tribe Meaning and Origin Originall

• mortal

  Etymology Latin mortalis meaning subject to death Proto Indo European mrtós mea

• person

  Etymology Latin persona meaning mask or character in a play Meaning An indiv

• soul

  Etymology The word soul traces its origins to the Proto Indo European root h₂enh₂