antiquity
    n 1: the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
    2: extreme oldness [syn: ancientness, antiquity]
    3: an artifact surviving from the past

Antiquity \An*tiq"ui*ty\, n.; pl. Antiquities. [L. antiquitas,
   fr. antiquus: cf. F. antiquit['e]. See Antique.]
   1. The quality of being ancient; ancientness; great age; as,
      a statue of remarkable antiquity; a family of great
      antiquity.
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   2. Old age. [Obs.]
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            It not your voice broken? . . . and every part about
            you blasted with antiquity?           --Shak.
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   3. Ancient times; former ages; times long since past; as,
      Cicero was an eloquent orator of antiquity.
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   4. The ancients; the people of ancient times.
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            That such pillars were raised by Seth all antiquity
            has ?vowed.                           --Sir W.
                                                  Raleigh.
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   5. An old gentleman. [Obs.]
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            You are a shrewd antiquity, neighbor Clench. --B.
                                                  Jonson.
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   6. A relic or monument of ancient times; as, a coin, a
      statue, etc.; an ancient institution.

   Note: [In this sense, usually in the plural.] "Heathen
         antiquities." --Bacon.
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