Search the Dictionary

Old; that happened or existed in former times, usually at a great distance of time; belonging to times long past; specifically applied to the times before the fall of the Roman empire; -- opposed to modern; as, ancient authors, literature, history; ancient days. Witness those ancient empires of the earth. Milton. Gilda…

A small gold coin formerly current in England; a half angel. Eng. Cyc.

A liquid measure in various countries of Europe. The Dutch anker, formerly also used in England, contained about 10 of the old wine gallons, or 8

A broad dagger formerly worn at the girdle. [Written also anelace.]

a. It includes the Arthoropoda and Anarthropoda. By some zoölogists it is applied to the former only.

Addition to a former number. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

One more, in addition to a former number; a second or additional one, similar in likeness or in effect. Another yet! -- a seventh! I 'll see no more. Shak. Would serve to scale another Hero's tower. Shak.

organ of sensation, attached to the heads of insects and Crustacea. There are two in the former, and usually four in the latter. They are used as organs of touch, and in some species of Crustacea the cavity of the ear is situated near the basal joint. In insects, they are popularly called horns, and also feelers. The t…

Formerly, a hymn sung in alternate parts, in present usage, a selection from the Psalms, or other parts of the Scriptures or the liturgy, set to sacred music.

Ancient times; former ages; times long since past; as, Cicero was an eloquent orator of antiquity.

A compound formerly supposed to be modification of oxygen, but now known to be hydrogen dioxide; -- so called because apparently antagonistic to ozone, converting it into ordinary oxygen.

Something, as a writing, that is of doubtful authorship or authority; -- formerly used also adjectively. [Obs.] Locke.

es a condition. Thus, in the sentence, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him," the former clause is the protasis, and the latter the apodosis.

t advocates any important belief; one who has extraordinary success as a missionary or reformer; as, Dionysius of Corinth is called the apostle of France, John Eliot the apostle to the Indians, Theobald Mathew the apostle of temperance.

Formerly, an officer who attended magistrates and judges to execute their orders. Before any of his apparitors could execute the sentence, he was himself summoned away by a sterner apparitor to the other world. De Quincey.

An accusation; a process which formerly might be instituted by one private person against another for some heinous crime demanding punishment for the particular injury suffered, rather than for the offense against the public.

An examiner; one whose business is to put questions. Formerly, in the English Court of Exchequer, an officer who audited the sheriffs' accounts.

rm; in expectation of evil. Not at all apprehensive of evils as a distance. Tillotson. Reformers . . . apprehensive for their lives. Gladstone.

ent of money by a debtor to his creditor, to one of several debts which are due from the former to the latter. Chitty.

One who approves. Formerly, one who made proof or trial.