from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ancient \An"cient\, n.
1. pl. Those who lived in former ages, as opposed to the
{moderns}.
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2. An aged man; a patriarch. Hence: A governor; a ruler; a
person of influence.
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The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients
of his people, and the princes thereof. --Isa. iii.
14.
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3. A senior; an elder; a predecessor. [Obs.]
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Junius and Andronicus . . . in Christianity . . .
were his ancients. --Hooker.
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4. pl. (Eng. Law) One of the senior members of the Inns of
Court or of Chancery.
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{Council of Ancients} (French Hist.), one of the two
assemblies composing the legislative bodies in 1795.
--Brande.
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