antiquity

== English == === Alternative forms === antiquitie (obsolete) === Etymology === From Middle English antiquyte, antiquite, antiquytee, a borrowing from Old French antiquité, antiquitet, from Latin antiquitas, from antiquus. Equivalent to antique +‎ -ity. See antique, antic. Compare with French antiquité. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ænˈtɪk.wɪ.ti/ (US) IPA(key): /ænˈtɪk.wə.ti/ Rhymes: -ɪkwɪti === Noun === antiquity (countable and uncountable, plural antiquities) Ancient times; faraway history; former ages. The people of ancient times. (obsolete) An old gentleman. (history) The historical period preceding the Middle Ages (c. 500-1500), primarily relating to European history. (often constructed as an uncountable plural) A relic or monument of ancient times, such as a coin, a statue, etc.; an ancient institution. The state of being ancient or of ancient lineage. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== Further reading ==== “antiquity”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin E[li] Smith, editors (1911), “antiquity”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC.