ANTIQ'UITY, n. L. antiquitas.

1. Ancient times former ages times long since past a very indefinite term as, Cicero was the most eloquent orator of antiquity.
2. The ancients the people of ancient times as, the fact is admitted by all antiquity.

Meaning that mankind are inclined to verify the predictions of antiquity.

3. Ancientness great age the quality of being ancient as, a statue of remarkable antiquity a family of great antiquity.
4. Old age a ludicrous sense used by Shak.
5. The remains of ancient times. In this sense it is usually or always plural. Antiquities comprehend all the remains of ancient times all the monuments, coins, inscriptions, edifices, history and fragments of literature, offices, habiliments, weapons, manners, ceremonies in short, whatever respects any of the ancient nations of the earth.