Antediluvian: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• Originates from Latin, where 'ante' means 'before' and 'diluvium' means 'flood.'
• First recorded use in English dates back to the early 19th century, referencing Biblical accounts of the flood.

Historical Context

• Often used to describe ancient societies or things that are outdated, like old-fashioned ideas.
• The term shows up in literature when discussing prehistoric eras or civilizations prior to significant events in human history.

Literature

• Frequently used by authors to invoke a sense of antiquity or nostalgia in their stories.
• Famous writers like Mark Twain employed the term to highlight outdated customs in a humorous way.

Pop Culture

• Often appears in science fiction and fantasy narratives to describe ancient civilizations or artifacts.
• Used humorously in modern contexts to refer to extremely outdated technology or ideas, like a 'flip phone' being described as antediluvian.

Philosophy

• Philosophically, it can refer to outdated beliefs or ancient wisdom that might still hold value.
• Debates exist regarding how 'antediluvian' perspectives can shape modern thinking, especially regarding environmental issues.

This word's position of #30,536 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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