Ancients
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
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.