Archaism: meaning, definitions and examples
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archaism
[ หษหr.keษช.ษช.zษm ]
linguistic term
Archaism refers to a word, expression, or phrase that is considered outdated or no longer in common use in a language. These terms may have historical significance and can evoke a sense of nostalgia or formality when used. Archaisms are often found in older literary works, religious texts, and some forms of artistic expression. Though they may not be used in everyday speech, archaisms can enrich the language and provide a deeper understanding of its evolution over time.
Synonyms
anachronism, antiquity, old-fashioned term, relic.
Examples of usage
- Thou art a brave soul.
- The archaism in his writing gave it a classical feel.
- Many poets use archaism to create a romantic atmosphere.
- The Bible contains several archaisms that reflect its time period.
Translations
Translations of the word "archaism" in other languages:
๐ต๐น arcaรญsmo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคชเฅเคฐเคพเคคเคจเคคเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Archaismus
๐ฎ๐ฉ arkaisme
๐บ๐ฆ ะฐัั ะฐัะทะผ
๐ต๐ฑ archaizm
๐ฏ๐ต ๅค่ช
๐ซ๐ท archaรฏsme
๐ช๐ธ arcaรญsmo
๐น๐ท arkaizm
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ณ ์ด
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฃุซุฑ ูุฏูู
๐จ๐ฟ archaismus
๐ธ๐ฐ archaizmus
๐จ๐ณ ๅค่ฏญ
๐ธ๐ฎ arkajizem
๐ฎ๐ธ arkaismi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฐัั ะฐะนะทะผ
๐ฌ๐ช แแ แฅแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ arkaizm
๐ฒ๐ฝ arcaรญsmo
Etymology
The term 'archaism' derives from the Greek word 'archaios', meaning ancient or old, combined with the suffix '-ism', which denotes a distinctive practice or philosophy. The usage of 'archaism' in linguistic contexts emerged in the 19th century, as scholars began to study the evolution of language and the significance of historical terms that fell out of common use. Archaisms are particularly prevalent in English literature, where authors like Shakespeare and Milton incorporated older forms of language to achieve specific artistic effects. As languages evolve, many words and expressions become obsolete, yet they may still hold cultural and historical value, prompting modern writers and speakers to occasionally reintroduce archaisms for stylistic purposes.