Ancient

A corruption of ensign—a flag and the officer who bore it. Pistol was Falstaff’s “ancient.”

“Ten times more dishonourably ragged than an old-faced ancient.”—Shakespeare: 1 Henry IV., iv. 21.

“My whole charge consists of ancients, corporals, lieutenants, gentlemen of companies … .”—Shakespeare: 1 Henry IV., iv. 2.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.