Ancient \An"cient\, n.
1. pl. Those who lived in former ages, as opposed to the
moderns.
2. An aged man; a patriarch. Hence: A governor; a ruler; a
person of influence.
The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients
of his people, and the princes thereof. --Isa. iii.
14.
3. A senior; an elder; a predecessor. [Obs.]
Junius and Andronicus . . . in Christianity . . .
were his ancients. --Hooker.
4. pl. (Eng. Law) One of the senior members of the Inns of
Court or of Chancery.
Council of Ancients (French Hist.), one of the two
assemblies composing the legislative bodies in 1795.
--Brande.
