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.-old; that has been of long duration; of long standing; of great age; as, an ancient forest; an ancient castle.-known for a long time, or from early times; -- opposed to recent or new; as, the ancient continent.-dignified, like an aged man; magisterial; venerable.-experienced; versed.-former; sometime.-those who lived in former ages, as opposed to the moderns.-an aged man; a patriarch. hence: a governor; a ruler; a person of influence.-a senior; an elder; a predecessor.-one of the senior members of the inns of court or of chancery.-an ensign or flag.-the bearer of a flag; an ensign.