Noun

(antiquities)

Ancient times; former ages; times long since past.

The ancients; the people of ancient times.

* That such pillars were raised by Seth all antiquity has avowed. —Sir W. Raleigh.

(obsolete) An old gentleman.

* You are a shrewd antiquity , neighbor Clench. —B. Jonson.

(label) 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; as, a coin, a statue, etc.; an ancient institution.

State of being ancient or of ancient lineage.

* , chapter=5

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=He was thinking; but the glory of the song, the swell from the great organ, the clustered lights, […], the height and vastness of this noble fane, its antiquity and its strength—all these things seemed to have their part as causes of the thrilling emotion that accompanied his thoughts.}}