An*tiq"ui*ty (?), n.; pl.
Antiquities (?). [L. antiquitas, fr.
antiquus: cf. F. antiquité. See Antique.]
1. The quality of being ancient; ancientness; great
age; as, a statue of remarkable antiquity; a family of great
antiquity.
2. Old age. [Obs.]
It not your voice broken? . . . and every part about you
blasted with antiquity?
Shak.
3. Ancient times; former ages; times long since
past; as, Cicero was an eloquent orator of antiquity.
4. The ancients; the people of ancient
times.
That such pillars were raised by Seth all antiquity
has ?vowed.
Sir W. Raleigh.
5. An old gentleman. [Obs.]
You are a shrewd antiquity, neighbor Clench.
B. Jonson.
6. A relic or monument of ancient times; as, a
coin, a statue, etc.; an ancient institution. [In this sense, usually in
the plural.] "Heathen antiquities." Bacon.