'Ancient' is a word borrowed from Latin 'ante'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.
ancient [adjective] [14th century]
- having had an existence of many years
- of or relating to a remote period, to a time early in history, or to those living in such a period or time
- of or relating to the historical period beginning with the earliest known civilizations and extending to the fall of th...
- having the qualities of age or long existence
- as
See 'ancient' on the Loan Words Map
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Etymology: Middle English 'ancien' from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin '*anteanus' from Latin 'ante' before
See more loan words from 1300s.