antiquity
n. uncountable C1 Advanced US //ænˈtɪkwəti// UK //æntˈɪkwɪti// an·tiq·ui·ty
n. the very distant past, especially the time of ancient Greece and Rome.
n. the period of history before the Middle Ages, particularly the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome.
The ruins show signs of great antiquity.
Scholars study pottery shards to understand daily life in antiquity.
The library preserves manuscripts that bridge the gap between classical antiquity and the medieval period.
From Middle English antiquyte, antiquite, antiquytee, a borrowing from Old French antiquité, antiquitet, from Latin antiquitas, from antiquus. Equivalent to antique + -ity. See antique, antic. Compare with French antiquité.