Anchusine, Anchusic

ACID, n. (Chem.) A darkred, resinous body, permanent in light, softening at 140°, and subliming, without change, at a higher temperature, in the form of violent fumes, like iodine; nsoluble in water, and soluble in alcohol with a red plor. It is the red coloring matter of the Anchusa "God was of all things the most ancient , because he never had any beginning."-Raleigh. Past; former. "I see thy fury; if I longer stay, We shall begin our ancient bickerings."-Shaks. -Ancient and old are thus distinguished: Old relates to the duration of the thing itself, as, an old coat, a coat much worn; and ancient to time in general, as, an an cient dre , a habit used in former times. But this is not always observed; for we mention old customs; but though old is sometimes opposed to modern, ancient is seldom opposed to new. ( Hist .) In a limited sense, ancient is used in reference to a certain period in the existence of the human race; as when we speak of ancient, as distinguished from modern, history; of the ancient cla ics, ancient literature, and generally, of the ancients . The boundary-line between ancient and modern in this latter sense is not very accurately drawn; but according to the vulgar acceptation of the terms, the period of the ancients seems to be closed by the final and complete overthrow of the western Roman empire. With reference to the nations over which that empire extended, the distinction is not altogether arbitrary, or without an intelligible reason. The overthrow of the Roman empire marks the commencement of a new order of things, when we begin to discover the rudiments of those powerful independent nations, of those various languages, and peculiar institutions, which so remarkably distinguish a large portion of what is called modern Europe, from Europe under Roman dominion. There is of course a short interval, which may be considered as doubtful ground, for the po e ion of which the terms ancient and modern will always be allowed to contend. Ancient, in Wisconsin , a hamlet of Dane co. An'ciently, adv . In old times. An'cientne , n. The state of being ancient; antiquity; existence from old times. An'cientry, n. The honor of ancient lineage; the dignity of birth. "The Irish think to ennoble themselves, by wresting their ancientry from the Spaniard." - Spenser.