antiquary
An antiquary is a person who studies or collects antiques, ancient artifacts, or ancient history. This term specifically refers to an expert or amateur enthusiast who focuses on the physical remains and records of the past.
Examples
3 of 5The local antiquary spent his weekends searching for Victorian glass in old markets.
The local antiquary spent his weekends searching for Victorian glass in old markets.
The manuscript was authenticated by a distinguished antiquary from the national museum.
The manuscript was authenticated by a distinguished antiquary from the national museum.
My grandpa is such an antiquary; he has a whole room full of rusty old tools.
My grandpa is such an antiquary; he has a whole room full of rusty old tools.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Antique + Query'. An antiquary is someone who makes a 'query' (searches/asks) for 'antiques'.
Quick Quiz
The _______ spent hours in the library researching the origin of the 12th-century seal.
Correct!
The correct answer is: antiquary
Examples
The local antiquary spent his weekends searching for Victorian glass in old markets.
everydayThe local antiquary spent his weekends searching for Victorian glass in old markets.
The manuscript was authenticated by a distinguished antiquary from the national museum.
formalThe manuscript was authenticated by a distinguished antiquary from the national museum.
My grandpa is such an antiquary; he has a whole room full of rusty old tools.
informalMy grandpa is such an antiquary; he has a whole room full of rusty old tools.
Historians often rely on the detailed catalogs produced by an 18th-century antiquary to understand lost monuments.
academicHistorians often rely on the detailed catalogs produced by an 18th-century antiquary to understand lost monuments.
The auction house hired a professional antiquary to value the estate's collection of medieval coins.
businessThe auction house hired a professional antiquary to value the estate's collection of medieval coins.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Society of Antiquaries
Society of Antiquaries
devoted antiquary
devoted antiquary
rural antiquary
rural antiquary
Often Confused With
Antiquity refers to the quality of being ancient or the ancient period itself, whereas an antiquary is a person.
An antique is an old object, while an antiquary is the person who studies or collects such objects.
Usage Notes
The term is somewhat formal and literary; in modern conversational English, 'antiquarian' is often used interchangeably or people simply use 'collector of antiques'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use this word to describe an object (e.g., 'an antiquary clock'), but it must only refer to a person.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Antique + Query'. An antiquary is someone who makes a 'query' (searches/asks) for 'antiques'.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'antiquarius', meaning 'belonging to antiquity' or 'one who studies antiquity'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The 'Society of Antiquaries of London' is the oldest learned society in the world concerned with the physical remains of the past.
Quick Quiz
The _______ spent hours in the library researching the origin of the 12th-century seal.
Correct!
The correct answer is: antiquary
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