English

Noun

antient ‎(plural antients)

1. Obsolete spelling of ancient

Adjective

antient ‎(comparative antienter or more antient, superlative antientest or most antient)

1. Obsolete spelling of ancient
   • 1673, John Milton, I did but prompt the age to quit their cloggs:

     I did but prompt the age to quit their cloggs

     By the known rules of antient libertie,

     When strait a barbarous noise environs me

     Of Owles and Cuckoes, Asses, Apes and Doggs

   • 1785, Dawes, Manasseh & Jones, Sir William, England's Alarm!, page 10:

     The trial by jury, your Lordship knows, is so antient a privilege belonging to mankind, that its origin cannot properly be traced.

   • 1906, The Athenaeum, page 745:

     The choral and orchestral concerts at the Antient Concert Rooms were of more than usual interest.

Usage notes

This spelling is still current within freemasonry.