archaicism
|ar-chae-is-m|
🇺🇸
/ˌɑr.kəˈɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑː.kəˈɪz(ə)m/
old or obsolete word/form; use of old-fashioned language
Etymology
'archaicism' originates from English formation from 'archaic' + the suffix '-ism' (from Greek/Latin via French), where 'archaic' comes from Greek 'arkhaios' meaning 'ancient' or 'original'.
'archaic' comes from Greek 'arkhaios' > Late Latin/Medieval Latin forms > Old French/Latin-influenced forms > Middle English 'archaik' and eventually modern English 'archaic'; 'archaicism' was later formed in English by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ism'.
Initially the root meant 'ancient' or 'belonging to the beginning'; over time it came to mean 'old-fashioned' or 'no longer current', and 'archaicism' now refers specifically to archaic words or the practice of using them.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a word, phrase, or linguistic form that is old-fashioned or no longer in everyday use.
The poem contains an archaicism that gives it an antique flavor.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
the use or tendency to use archaic words or forms in speech or writing (the practice or quality of being archaic).
The author's deliberate archaicism in the dialogue helped set the historical scene.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/04 10:56