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antique (adj.)

1530s, "aged, venerable;" 1540s, "having existed in ancient times," from French antique "old" (14c.), from Latin antiquus (later anticus) "ancient, former, of olden times; old, long in existence, aged; venerable; old-fashioned," from PIE *anti- "before" (from root *ant- "front, forehead," with derivatives meaning "in front of, before") + *okw- "to see."

Originally pronounced in English like its doublet antic, but French pronunciation and spelling were adopted in English from c. 1700. The meaning "not modern" is from 1640s. Related: Antiqueness.

also from 1530s

antique (n.)

1520s, "a relic of antiquity," from antique (adj.). From 1771 as "an old and collectible thing."

also from 1520s

antique (v.)

"to give an antique appearance to," 1753 (implied in antiqued, in bookbinding, "finished in an antique style"), from antique (adj.). Related: Antiquing.

also from 1753
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updated on September 23, 2022

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