Legal Definitions - ab antiquo

AB ANTIQUO

ab antiquo (ab an-ti-kwoh), adv. [Law Latin] From ancient times; of old. It means something that has been in existence for a long time.

• The tradition of lighting candles on a birthday cake is ab antiquo.
• The castle was built ab antiquo and has been standing for centuries.

The examples illustrate that ab antiquo refers to something that has been around for a long time. The tradition of lighting candles on a birthday cake has been around for many years, and the castle has been standing for centuries. Both examples show that these things have been in existence for a long time and are considered old or ancient.