English Dictionary

Definition of “antiquity

antiquity (ænˈtɪkwɪtɪPronunciation for antiquity

Definitions

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

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= distant past ancient times time immemorial, olden days

Quotations

  • "When my sonnet was rejected, I exclaimed, `Damn the age; I will write for Antiquity!'" Charles Lamb

Usage examples

  • Elizabeth told of her love of archaeology and Clarice mentioned Turkey as a place of great antiquity.
    Ian St James Awards, At the Stroke of Twelve (1989)
  • "They have looted or destroyed 170,000 items of antiquity ," said Nabhal Amin, deputy director of the museum.
    New Scientist (2003)
  • "If you offer any amount of money for an antiquity , they'll go straight out and rob the next museum.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • The antiquity of the stadium is matched only by the dilapidated nature of the playing staff.
    Sun, News of the World (2004)
  • This is the lodestone, whose interesting properties have been known since antiquity.
    Richard Fortey, THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)

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