Did you know that 'ancient' is actually Latin?

'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

See more loan words from Latin.

Etymology: Middle English 'ancien' from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin '*anteanus' from Latin 'ante' before

See more loan words from 1300s.