The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Ancient \An"cient\, n.
   1. pl. Those who lived in former ages, as opposed to the
      moderns.
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   2. An aged man; a patriarch. Hence: A governor; a ruler; a
      person of influence.
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            The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients
            of his people, and the princes thereof. --Isa. iii.
                                                  14.
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   3. A senior; an elder; a predecessor. [Obs.]
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            Junius and Andronicus . . . in Christianity . . .
            were his ancients.                    --Hooker.
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   4. pl. (Eng. Law) One of the senior members of the Inns of
      Court or of Chancery.
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   Council of Ancients (French Hist.), one of the two
      assemblies composing the legislative bodies in 1795.
      --Brande.
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