antediluvian
|an-te-di-lu-vi-an|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.t̬ɪ.dɪˈluː.vi.ən/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tɪ.dɪˈluː.vɪ.ən/
before the Flood; very old-fashioned
Etymology
'antediluvian' originates from Latin, specifically the Medieval Latin word 'antediluvianus', where 'ante-' meant 'before' and 'diluvium' meant 'a flood'.
'antediluvianus' in Medieval Latin passed into Late Latin and then into Middle English as 'antediluvioun/antediluvian', eventually becoming the modern English adjective 'antediluvian'.
Initially, it meant 'before the Flood' (literally 'pre-flood'); over time it gained the extended sense of 'extremely old-fashioned' or 'antiquated'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is extremely old-fashioned.
He’s such an antediluvian that he still refuses to use email.
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Adjective 1
relating to the period before the biblical Flood (the Flood of Noah); ancient in the sense of pre-diluvian.
The museum displayed artifacts purported to be antediluvian.
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Adjective 2
extremely old-fashioned; out of date.
His views on gender roles are positively antediluvian.
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Last updated: 2025/08/21 18:07