ancient

Everyday

1. Ancient means belonging to a time very, very long ago, often thousands of years ago. tree →
2. Ancient can mean very old (often said as a joke about something old). tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, «ancient» describes old civilisations such as Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome and Ancient China, with pyramids, temples and myths. In science, ancient rocks and fossils show the Earth's past. In stories, ancient forests, castles and spells set a mysterious mood. Phrases: «ancient history», «Ancient Egypt», «the ancients», «ancient ruins».

Examples

• The Ancient Egyptians built the pyramids. tree →
• We are learning about Ancient Greece. tree →
• The forest has ancient oak trees. tree →
• The museum shows ancient coins. tree →
• The ancient Romans built straight roads. tree →
• This computer is ancient! tree →
• The temple is in ruins because it is so ancient. tree →
• Dinosaur fossils are found in ancient rocks. tree →
• MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME. tree →

Note

Spelling trap: ancient (c, then -ient), pronounced «AYN-shunt». When it is part of a name, like Ancient Egypt, it often has a capital A. «That's ancient history» means something happened long ago and no longer matters.

In Jewish tradition

Often used for the old mountains and hills in the blessings, meaning very old and lasting. In the Prophets and Writings it also names old landmarks, an old brook, and times long past. In Sefer Yetzirah it describes how old the book is.

Interpretation. Tradition holds that Sefer Yetzirah is very old, and some say it goes back to Abraham, though scholars date it later. The saying not to move the ancient landmark is read as respect for old property lines and old traditions. The psalmist remembering ancient times is read as learning from history to trust God.

Examples

• And for the tops of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the everlasting hills, (Torah DEU.33.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• both these Hebrew classics speak of it as a very ancient work. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• Some parts are not very ancient, since some versions mention the Crusades. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. (Writings PRO.22.28, JPS 1917) tree →
• The brook Kishon swept them away, that ancient brook, the brook Kishon. (Prophets JDG.5.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• I have pondered the days of old, the years of ancient times. (Writings PSA.77.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling trap: ancient (c, then -ient), pronounced «AYN-shunt». When it is part of a name, like Ancient Egypt, it often has a capital A. «That's ancient history» means something happened long ago and no longer matters.