ancient (denoting both w Copy link Outline 1. antīquus (chiefly but not solely of that which has ceased to exist2. vĕtus, ĕris3. vĕtustus (derived from vetus4. priscus (only of what has now passed away5. pristĭnus6. cānus (poet. • ancient (denoting both what has now ceased to exist, and what still exists): 1. antīquus (chiefly but not solely of that which has ceased to exist: v. antiquated): an a. custom, mos a., Pl.: a very a. period, antiquissimum tempus, Caes.: these are the true and a. names, ea vera et a. nomina, Tac.: these things are too a. and old-fashioned, haec nimis a. et obsoleta sunt, Cic.: a. temples, a. templa, Hor.: very a. writings, antiquissima scripta, Hor. Phr.: from a. times, antīquĭtŭs: Liv.: Quint.: Very ancient, pĕrantīquus: a very a. shrine, p. sacrarium, Cic. 2. vĕtus, ĕris: only of that which still exists or still remains in force: (vetus and antiquus are sometimes used together: as veterem atque antiquam rem novam ad vos proferam, Pl. Amph. prol. 118: antiquus is opposed to novus, vetus to recens, Habicht, 768): the a. kingdom of Priam, regnum Priami v., Hor.: a. statues, v. statuae, Hor.: the a. poets, v. poetae, Hor.: the a. men of olden time, veteres et prisci viri, Cic. Very a., pervĕtus: a very a. town, oppidum perv., Cic.: v. old, OLD-STANDING. 3. vĕtustus (derived from vetus: hence of that which is old, esp. which bears the marks of age): an a. opinion, v. opinio, Cic.: an a. nation, v. gens, Virg.: very a. public records, vetustissimum instrumentum imperii, Suet.: an a. temple, v. templum, Virg.: an a. town, v. oppidum, Hor. 4. priscus (only of what has now passed away: v. antiquated): in the a. literature of the Greeks, in p. Graecorum literis, Cic.. let others take delight in a. times, I congratulate myself on having been born in these latter ages, prisca juvent alios, ego me nunc denique natum gratulor, Ov. 5. pristĭnus: v. olden, former. 6. cānus (poet.: prop. grey, hoary): a. fidelity, c. fides, Virg.: a. ages, secula c., Mart.: v. old.