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French
Etymology
Inherited from Middle French ancien, from Old French anciien, from Vulgar Latin *anteānus.
Pronunciation
Adjective
ancien (feminine ancienne, masculine plural anciens, feminine plural anciennes)
- (always placed before the noun) old, former, ex- (no longer current)
- Antonym: nouveau
- Ancien Régime ― the Ancien Régime, the period before the French Revolution
- Ancien Testament ― the Old Testament
- ancienne école ― the old school
Mon ancien petit ami m’a plaquée.- My ex-boyfriend ditched me.
- (usually placed after the noun) ancient (very old)
- Antonym: neuf
- Near-synonym: vieux
- le grec ancien ― Ancient Greek
- l’ancien français ― Old French
- l’arménien ancien ― Old Armenian
- l’ancien occitan ― Old Occitan
- Elle a acheté une maison ancienne. ― She has bought an ancient house.
Derived terms
Noun
ancien m (plural anciens, feminine ancienne)
- an old person
Derived terms
Descendants
Further reading
Anagrams
Middle French
Etymology
From Old French ancien.
Adjective
ancien m (feminine singular ancienne, masculine plural anciens, feminine plural anciennes)
- old
- previous; former
Descendants
Norman
Etymology
From Old French anciien, from Vulgar Latin *anteanus.
Adjective
ancien m
- (Jersey) ancient
Derived terms
Old French
Adjective
ancien m (oblique and nominative feminine singular anciene)
- Alternative form of anciien (“former, ancient”)