1. Belonging to times long past especially of the historical period before the fall of the Western Roman Empire
   "ancient Greece"; "ancient history"; "ancient civilizations such as those of the Etruscans and Sumerians"
    
2. Very old
   "an ancient mariner"

1. A person who lived in ancient times
   "The writings of the ancients provide valuable insights into early civilizations"
    
2. A very old person
   "The ancient storyteller captivated the children with tales from long ago";
   - antediluvian

Derived forms: ancients

See also: old, past

Type of: actor, doer, golden ager [N. Amer, informal], old person, oldster [N. Amer, informal], senior citizen, worker

Encyclopedia: Ancient, My Enemy