ancien
|an-ci-en|
C1
/ˈæn.si.ən/
old; former (esp. in French context)
Etymology
Etymology Information
'ancien' originates from French, specifically the word 'ancien', where it meant 'old' or 'former'.
Historical Evolution
'ancien' was borrowed directly from French into English, especially in phrases like 'ancien régime', and retained its original meaning.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'old' or 'former', and this meaning has largely remained the same in English, especially in historical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Last updated: 2025/08/02 02:51