An·cient, n.
1. pl. Those who lived in former ages, as opposed to the moderns.
2. An aged man; a patriarch. Hence: A governor; a ruler; a person of influence.
The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof. --Isa. iii. 14.
3. A senior; an elder; a predecessor. [Obs.]
Junius and Andronicus . . . in Christianity . . . were his ancients. --Hooker.
4. pl. Eng. Law One of the senior members of the Inns of Court or of Chancery.
Council of Ancients French Hist., one of the two assemblies composing the legislative bodies in 1795.