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.