An*tiq"ui*ty (&?;), 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.
2.
Old age. [Obs.]
It not your voice broken? . . . and every part about you blasted with antiquity?
Shak.
3. Ancient times; former ages; times long since past; as, Cicero was an eloquent orator of antiquity.
4. The ancients; the people of
ancient times.
That such pillars were raised by Seth all antiquity has
&?;vowed.
Sir W.
Raleigh.
5. An old gentleman. [Obs.]
You are a shrewd antiquity, neighbor Clench.
B. Jonson.
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.
Hear it pronounced