antiquarian n.

word-forming element meaning "pertaining to," from Latin -anus, adjective suffix, in some cases via French -ain, -en. From PIE *-no-.

1530s, "aged, venerable;" 1540s, "having existed in ancient times," from French antique "old" (14c.), from Latin antiquus (later anticus) "ancient, former, of olden times; old, long in existence, aged; venerable; old-fashioned," from PIE *anti- "before" (from root *ant- "front, forehead," with derivatives meaning "in front of, before") + *okw- "to see."

Originally pronounced in English like its doublet antic, but French pronunciation and spelling were adopted in English from c. 1700. The meaning "not modern" is from 1640s. Related: Antiqueness.

1580s, "one versed in knowledge of ancient things," from Latin antiquarius "pertaining to antiquity," in Medieval Latin "a copier of old books," from antiquus "ancient, aged, venerable" (see antique (adj.)). In later use especially "dealer in old books, coins, objects of art, etc."