Etymology Map
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Antique

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a valuable old object

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

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

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.