antiquity
Translation
ancient times, the distant past
Examples
Rome is a city of great antiquity.
Rome is a city of great antiquity.
These ruins date from antiquity.
These ruins date from antiquity.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((from antiquity)) referring to something from the ancient past These ruins date from antiquity.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ancient times, the distant past; Antonyms: modernity, the present day
Etymology
From Latin 'antiquitas' (age, olden times), from 'antiquus' (old). The '-ity' suffix forms a noun indicating a state or quality.
Memory Tips
Think of the quality or state (-ity) of being 'antique'. It refers to the ancient historical period itself.