Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
archaicism
noun
/ˌɑːr.kɪˈɪs.ɪ.zəm/
Definition
A word, phrase, or expression that is considered old-fashioned and no longer in common use.
Examples
- “Thou art a noble knight, full of courage and valor.” (The use of ‘thou’ is an example of archaicism.)
- “In the poem, the author employs archaic words to create a sense of nostalgia and history.”
Meaning
Archaicism refers to the use of outdated language or expressions that were once common but have fallen out of regular use over time.
Synonyms
- antiquated term
- obsolete word
- dinosaur expression
- old-fashioned language
