Ancients

Defined in 8 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Black's (1891), Burrill (1850), Bouvier (1839)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

Gentlemen in the Inns of Courts who are of a certain standing. In the Middle, Temple, all who have passed their readings are termed "ancients." In Gray's Inn, the ancients are the oldest barristers; besides which, the society consists of benchers, barristers, and students. In the Inns of Chancery, it consists of ancients and students or clerks.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

Those who have attained peculiar seniority at the Inns of Court.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

Gentlemen in the Inns of Courts who are of a certain standing. In the Middle Temple, all who have passed their readings are termed ancients. In Gray's Inn, the ancients are the oldest barristers; besides which, the society consists of benchers, barristers, and students; in the Inns of Chancery, it consists of ancients and students or clerks. The Council of Ancients was the upper Chamber of the French legislature under the constitution of 1795, consisting of 250, each required to be at least forty years old.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

In English law. Gentlemen of the Inns of court and chancery. In Gray's Inn the society consiste of benchers, ancients, barristers, and students under the bar ; and here the ancients are of the oldest barristers. In the Middle Temple, those who had passed their readings used to be termed "ancients." The Inns of Chancery consist of ancients and students or clerks; from the ancients a principal or treasurer is chosen yearly. Wharton.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

Members of the inns of court and certain standing.

A Dictionary of Law

Henry Campbell Black · 1891

In English law. Gentlemen of the inns of court and chancery. In Gray's Inn the society consists of benchers, ancients, barristers, and students under the bar; and here the ancients are of the oldest barristers. In the Middle Temple, those who had passed their readings used to be termed “ancients.” The Inns of Chancery consist of ancients and students or clerks; from the ancients a principal or treasurer is chosen yearly. Wharton.

A New Law Dictionary and Glossary

Alexander M. Burrill · 1850

In English law. A title given to cerfcun members of the Inns of court and chancery. Cowell. Holthouse. Wharton. Serjeants were distinguished as ancient and puisne. Cro. Jac. 2, 671.

A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States

John Bouvier · 1839

in the English law. A term for gentlemen in the Inns of Courts who are of a certain standing. In the middle temple all who have passed their readings are termed ancients. In Gray’s Inn, the ancients are the oldest barristers; besides which the society consists of benchers, barristers and students. In the Inns of Chancery, it consists of ancients, and students or clerks.