ancient document

noun

In the law of evidence, a document which is admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule, and which is considered self-authenticating, because it is older than a certain age (usually twenty years) and in a condition that makes it free from suspicion concerning its authenticity, and was found in a place where such a writing was likely to be kept.

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Meanings

nounancient document (plural ancient documents)

plural ancient documents

  1. lawIn the law of evidence, a document which is admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule, and which is considered self-authenticating, because it is older than a certain age (usually twenty years) and in a condition that makes it free from suspicion concerning its authenticity, and was found in a place where such a writing was likely to be kept.
Cite this entry
APA

ancient document. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ancient%20document

MLA

“ancient document.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ancient%20document. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ancient document,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ancient%20document.

Source: ancient document on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.