antique

Where does the word "antique" come from? It comes from Latin antiquus, passing through French before entering English (1530s).

Antique’s story begins in Latin: antiquus meant “old, former.” From 'ante', before. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as antique. Renaissance collectors used it for Greek and Roman remains. It reached English by 1530s as antique. 'antique' furniture dates from the 1700s. Today, antique means a valuable old object.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient antiquus "old, former", from 'ante', before.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s antique "ancient", Renaissance collectors used it for Greek and Roman remains.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1530s antique "ancient", 'antique' furniture dates from the 1700s.