ante-nati

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. Those born before a certain time: specifically, in English law, applied to Scotsmen born before the accession of James I. to the English throne (1603), who on this account were considered aliens. The post-nati, or those born after the accession, claimed the rights of natives of England. In the United States the term is applied to those born in the colonies prior to the Declaration of Independence.