archaism
noun
ar·cha·ism
| \ ˈär-kē-ˌi-zəm
, -(ˌ)kā-ˌi-\
, -(ˌ)kā-ˌi-\
Definition of archaism
1
: the use of archaic diction or style
2
: an instance of archaic usage
3
: something archaic
especially
: something (such as a practice or custom) that is outmoded or old-fashioned
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from archaism
archaist
\ -ist
\
noun
\
noun
archaistic
\ ˌär-kē-ˈis-tik
, -(ˌ)kā- \
adjective
, -(ˌ)kā- \
adjective
archaize
\ ˈär-kē-ˌīz
, -(ˌ)kā- \
verb
, -(ˌ)kā- \
verb
Examples of archaism in a Sentence
the archaisms “methinks” and “saith”
Recent Examples on the Web
That phrase, which may strike some young American ears as an archaism if not an oxymoron, is worth unpacking, and Amis provides readers with a pocket account of the historical preconditions of his extravagant fame. — A.o. Scott, New York Times, "In His New Collection, ‘The Rub of Time,’ Martin Amis Takes On Everyone From Travolta to Trump," 28 Feb. 2018 For the Latin American left, that vision has congealed into archaism. — The Economist, "BelloTime to bury Che Guevara for good," 12 Oct. 2017 But the main challenge for any translator is to remain true to Virgil without wrenching him into archaism or stiffness. — Willard Spiegelman, WSJ, "Of Arms and the Man," 22 Sep. 2017 Full of archaisms, the language has a neo-Nabokovian extravagance, occasionally overindulgent. — Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, "Briefly Noted," 13 Feb. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'archaism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for archaism
archaism
noun
English Language Learners Definition of archaism
: an old word or expression that is no longer used : an archaic word or expression
See the full definition for archaism in the English Language Learners Dictionary