Old World
Europe, Asia, Africa
The Old World is Europe, Asia, and Africa—the continents known to Europeans before Columbus reached the Americas.
The term contrasts with the New World of the Western Hemisphere: Old World diseases devastated indigenous American populations.
In biology, Old World distinguishes species native to these regions: Old World monkeys, Old World vultures. (Lowercase old world suggests traditional or bygone qualities.)
Smallest inhabited continent
- AsiaLargest continental landmass
- AfricaSecond-largest continent
- EurasiaCombined continental mass
- MediterraneanSea between Europe, Africa, Asia
landmass · continent · Mesopotamia · Levant · Fertile Crescent · Iberian Peninsula · Balkans · Anatolia
Great age, ancient era
- medievalOf the Middle Ages
- renaissancePeriod of renewed vitality
- classicalOf ancient Greece/Rome
- empireDomain under unified control
colonialism · feudalism · dynasty · monarchy · ancient · civilization · archaeology · ruins
Aura of fascination
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- foreignFrom another nation
- unfamiliarNot previously known
- spicesAromatic food flavorings
silks · caravan · bazaar · souks · treasures · incense · Orient · opulence
Grape-growing estate
- terroirGeography's influence on taste
- chateauFrench country mansion
- appellationName or title given
- varietalSingle-grape wine type
sommelier · Bordeaux · Burgundy · Chianti · Rioja · port · sherry · Riesling
Inherited cultural legacy
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
- pilgrimageReligious journey to shrine
Europe
Smallest inhabited continent
Mediterranean · landmass · continent · Mesopotamia · Levant · Fertile Crescent · Iberian Peninsula · Balkans · Anatolia · subcontinent
antiquity
Great age, ancient era
- medievalOf the Middle Ages
- renaissancePeriod of renewed vitality
- classicalOf ancient Greece/Rome
empire · colonialism · feudalism · dynasty · monarchy · ancient · civilization · archaeology · ruins · artifact
mystique
Aura of fascination
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- foreignFrom another nation
- unfamiliarNot previously known
spices · silks · caravan · bazaar · souks · treasures · incense · Orient · opulence · antiquarian
vineyard
Grape-growing estate
- terroirGeography's influence on taste
- chateauFrench country mansion
- appellationName or title given
varietal · sommelier · Bordeaux · Burgundy · Chianti · Rioja · port · sherry · Riesling · Barolo
heritage
Inherited cultural legacy
monkeys
Tailed primates, not apes
- Age of ExplorationColumbus, Marco Polo, exploration, explorers, expeditions
- strategy gameschess, strategy, checkers, go, Go
- Historical GamesAge of Empires, Civilization, Caesar, Pharaoh, Oregon Trail
- RPG SettingsDragonlance, Ravenloft, Midgard, Gothic Horror
- WarhammerWarhammer, Space Marines, Chaos, Dreadnought, Imperial Guard
- Place NicknamesBig Apple, Windy City, Chi-Town, Motown, Hotlanta
Old WorldNew World
Western Hemisphere landmasses
Western Hemisphere · North America · South America · California wines · terra incognita
old, world, elder, older, elderly, oldest, worldwide, worldly, otherworldly