ANCIENTLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does anciently mean? 

• ANCIENTLY (adverb)
  The adverb ANCIENTLY has 1 sense:

1. in ancient times; long ago

  Familiarity information: ANCIENTLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ANCIENTLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In ancient times; long ago

Context example:

a concern with what may have happened anciently

Pertainym:

ancient (belonging to times long past especially of the historical period before the fall of the Western Roman Empire)

 Context examples 

I discovered afterwards that Miss Lavinia was an authority in affairs of the heart, by reason of there having anciently existed a certain Mr. Pidger, who played short whist, and was supposed to have been enamoured of her.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Within the shadow, I may figuratively say, of that religious edifice immortalized by Chaucer, which was anciently the resort of Pilgrims from the remotest corners of—in short, said Mr. Micawber, in the immediate neighbourhood of the Cathedral.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)