antiquity

[ an-tik-wi-tee ]
/ ænˈtɪk wɪ ti /

noun, plural an·tiq·ui·ties.

the quality of being ancient; ancientness: a bowl of great antiquity.
ancient times; former ages: the splendor of antiquity.
the period of history before the Middle Ages.
the peoples, nations, tribes, or cultures of ancient times.
Usually antiquities. something belonging to or remaining from ancient times, as monuments, relics, or customs.

Origin of antiquity

1350–1400; Middle English antiquite < Anglo-French < Latin antīquitās, equivalent to antīqu(us) old (see antique) + -itās -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM antiquity

pre·an·tiq·ui·ty, noun, plural pre·an·tiq·ui·ties. sub·an·tiq·ui·ty, noun, plural sub·an·tiq·ui·ties.

Example sentences from the Web for antiquities

British Dictionary definitions for antiquities (1 of 2)

antiquities
/ (ænˈtɪkwɪtɪz) /

pl n

remains or relics, such as statues, buildings, or coins, that date from ancient times

British Dictionary definitions for antiquities (2 of 2)

antiquity
/ (ænˈtɪkwɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the quality of being ancient or very old a vase of great antiquity
the far distant past, esp the time preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
the people of ancient times collectively; the ancients