archaist
|ar-cha-ist|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑr.keɪ.ɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑː.keɪ.ɪst/
favoring the old
Etymology
'archaist' originates from English formation combining 'archaic' and the agent suffix '-ist' (from Greek/Latin-derived suffixes), where 'archaic' comes from Greek 'arkhaios' meaning 'ancient' and '-ist' indicates 'one who practices or favors'.
'archaist' was formed in modern English by adding the agent suffix '-ist' to 'archaic' (which itself came into English via Latin/French from Greek 'arkhaios'), producing the noun/adjective meaning one who favors archaic forms.
Originally related to the adjective sense 'archaic' (pertaining to ancient or old forms), the term developed the specialized sense 'one who advocates or uses archaic words or styles' in English usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who prefers, advocates, or uses archaic words, forms, or styles; one who favors archaizing language or revival of older linguistic forms.
An archaist in the committee argued for restoring the older spelling in the charter.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
showing a preference for or characteristic of archaic language or style; intentionally archaic in form or expression.
The translation has an archaist tone that echoes 17th-century prose.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/04 13:02