n.; pl. Antiquities [ L. antiquitas, fr. antiquus: cf. F. antiquité. See Antique. ] 1. The quality of being ancient; ancientness; great age; as, a statue of remarkable antiquity; a family of great antiquity. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Old age. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] It not your voice broken? . . . and every part about you blasted with antiquity? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Ancient times; former ages; times long since past; as, Cicero was an eloquent orator of antiquity. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. The ancients; the people of ancient times. [ 1913 Webster ] That such pillars were raised by Seth all antiquity has &unr_;vowed. Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. An old gentleman. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] You are a shrewd antiquity, neighbor Clench. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. A relic or monument of ancient times; as, a coin, a statue, etc.; an ancient institution. [ In this sense, usually in the plural. ] “Heathen antiquities.” Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ] |