1. The study, collection, or scholarly interest in antiquities, rare books, historical artifacts, and objects from the past.
Usage: Often used in academic and museum contexts
2. An excessive or obsessive interest in old things, the past, or outdated customs and practices.
Usage: Can carry a mildly critical or humorous tone

Examples

• Her antiquarianism led her to spend weekends browsing rare book fairs and estate sales.
• The museum's director brought a passion for antiquarianism to the curation of medieval manuscripts.
• His antiquarianism sometimes made him seem out of touch with contemporary trends.
• Antiquarianism flourished during the Victorian era, when wealthy collectors amassed vast collections of historical objects.
• The scholar's antiquarianism was evident in her meticulous documentation of every artifact's provenance.
• What some dismissed as mere antiquarianism, she recognized as serious historical research.