ANTIENT

ANTIENT, or Ancient, usually stands opposed to Modern. See MODERN. The Word comes from the French ancien, of the Latin Antiquus.
Thus, we say the ancient Architecture, ancient Monuments, ancient Church. See ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE, etc.
When we say absolutely, the Ancients, we mean the Greeks and Romans. Thus, the Ancients used to burn their Dead.
The Learned have been greatly divided of late days, with regard to the Preference between the Ancients and Moderns.
Ancient is sometimes opposed to young or new—we say the ancient Bishop of the City, the oldest in his See, and a new one is put in his Place.



The ancient Bishop of Frejus, now Cardinal de Fleury. Ancients in Church-Discipline. See EXPERTS.
The Society of Gray's Inn consists of Benchers, Ancients, Barristers, and Students under the Bar; the Ancients are the Elder Barristers.
See INN, BARRISTER, etc.
In the Inns of Chancery, there are only Ancients and Students, or Clerks; and among the Ancients, one is yearly the Principal, or Treasurer.
In the Middle Temple, Ancients are such as are past their Reading and meet to read. See TEMPLE.

Ancient is sometimes also used in a Military sense for an Ensign. See ENSIGN. ANCIENTY, in some ancient Statutes, is used for Eldership or Seniority.
Thus, the eldest Sister can demand no more than her other Sisters beside the Chief Messuage, by reason of her Ancienty.

Ancient is also the Flag, or Streamer borne in the Stern of a Ship. See FLAG, STREAMER, etc.

ANTIENT