archaism

ar·cha·ism  (ärk-zm, -k-)

n.

1. An archaic word, phrase, idiom, or other expression.

2. An archaic style, quality, or usage.

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[New Latin archaeismus, from Greek arkhaismos, from arkhaios, ancient; see archaic.]

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archa·ist n.

archa·istic (-stk) adj.

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archaism [ark-kay-iz-zum]

Noun

an archaic word or style

archaistic adj

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archaism

a taste for and imitation of earlier styles, a recurrent phenomenon since ancient times based on the premise that earlier works were somehow purer and simpler. Cf. primitivism.

See also: Art

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an inclination toward old-fashioned things, speech, etc. Also archaicism. — archaist, n. — archaic, adj.

See also: Past

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an inclination toward old-fashioned things, speech, or actions, especially those of one’s ancestors. Also archaicism. — archaist, n. — archaistic, adj.

See also: Ancestors

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the deliberate use, for effect, of old-fashioned terminology in literature.

See also: Language Style

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

archaism - the use of an archaic expression archaicism ambages - (archaic) roundabout or mysterious ways of action palfrey - especially a light saddle horse for a woman gildhall - the meeting place of a medieval guild hold - a stronghold pibgorn, stockhorn, hornpipe - an ancient (now obsolete) single-reed woodwind; usually made of bone complexion - (obsolete) a combination of elements (of dryness and warmth or of the four humors) that was once believed to determine a person's health and temperament sooth - truth or reality; "in sooth" muchness - greatness of quantity or measure or extent fardel - a burden (figuratively in the form of a bundle) alienism - an obsolete term for the study and treatment of mental illness formulation, expression - the style of expressing yourself; "he suggested a better formulation"; "his manner of expression showed how much he cared" the halt - (archaic) lame persons collectively; "the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind"--Luke 14:21 Negress - a Black woman or girl colored, colored person - a United States term for Blacks that is now considered offensive mulatto - an offspring of a black and a white parent quadroon - an offspring of a mulatto and a white parent; a person who is one-quarter black octoroon - an offspring of a quadroon and a white parent; a person who is one-eighth black Oriental, oriental person - a member of an Oriental race; the term is regarded as offensive by Asians (especially by Asian Americans) caitiff - a cowardly and despicable person simple - any herbaceous plant having medicinal properties meed - a fitting reward bosom - the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept; "his bosom was bursting with the secret" air - once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles) fire - once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles) earth - once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles) ether, quintessence - the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies water - once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles) menstruum - (archaic) a solvent control - verify by using a duplicate register for comparison; "control an account" compass - bring about; accomplish; "This writer attempts more than his talents can compass" abide, bide, stay - dwell; "You can stay with me while you are in town"; "stay a bit longer--the day is still young" commodious, convenient - large and roomy (`convenient' is archaic in this sense); "a commodious harbor"; "a commodious building suitable for conventions" horary - relating to the hours; "the horary cycle" meretricious - like or relating to a prostitute; "meretricious relationships" apopemptic - addressed to one who is departing; "apopemptic hymns" scriptural - written or relating to writing empiric, empirical - relying on medical quackery; "empiric treatment" hence - from this place; "get thee hence!" away, forth, off - from a particular thing or place or position (`forth' is obsolete); "ran away from the lion"; "wanted to get away from there"; "sent the children away to boarding school"; "the teacher waved the children away from the dead animal"; "went off to school"; "they drove off"; "go forth and preach" privily - confidentially or in secret; "told her friend privily that she was planning to be married" brotherly - (archaic as adverb) in a brotherly manner mellow, mellowly - (obsolete) in a mellow manner by chance, perchance - through chance, "To sleep, perchance to dream.." verily - in truth; certainly; "I verily think so"; "trust in the Lord...and verily thou shalt be fed"- Ps 37:3 Black person, blackamoor, Negro, Negroid, Black - a person with dark skin who comes from Africa (or whose ancestors came from Africa)