antesignani
|an-te-sig-na-ni|
/ˌæn.təˈsɪɡ.nɑː.ni/
(antesignanus)
those who go before the standard (vanguard/standard-bearers)
Etymology
'antesignanus' originates from Latin, specifically built from the prefix 'ante-' meaning 'before' and the noun 'signum' meaning 'standard' or 'sign'.
'antesignanus' was used in Latin to denote a soldier who went before the signum; the plural Latin form is 'antesignani', which was borrowed into later historical English/antiquarian usage as 'antesignani' to refer to such advance troops or standard-bearers.
Initially it meant 'one who goes before the standard (sign)'; over time in English usage it has been used chiefly as a historical term for 'vanguard members or standard-bearers.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'antesignanus'. Historically: members of a military vanguard or those who marched before the standards (standard-bearers or advance troops).
Ancient chronicles record the antesignani riding ahead of the army to scout and secure the route.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/23 09:37