desuetude

American  

[des-wi-tood, -tyood] / ˈdɛs wɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

noun

1. the state of being no longer used or practiced.

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desuetude British  

/ ˈdɛswɪtjuːd, dɪˈsjuːɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. formal the condition of not being in use or practice; disuse

   those ceremonies had fallen into desuetude

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Etymology

Origin of desuetude

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin dēsuētūdo, equivalent to dēsuē-, base of dēsuēscere “to become disaccustomed to, unlearn” ( dē- de- + suēscere “to become accustomed to”) + -tūdō -tude

Explanation

Use the noun desuetude to say that something is not active or not being used, like the desuetude of a neglected park, with its overgrown ballfields and broken playground equipment. There are two ways to correctly pronounce desuetude: "DES-wuh-tude" or "de-SUE-uh-tude." It comes from Latin: de- means "away, from" and suescere means "become accustomed." So if people or things are not used — out of custom — desuetude is the result, carrying with it a sense of neglect, disrepair, and inaction.

Example Sentences

Desuetude must needs beget sloth, and sloth decay.

From The Apologia and Florida of Apuleius of Madaura by Butler, Harold Edgeworth

Desuetude begets incompetence—the dare-not soon becomes the cannot.

From The Impending Crisis of the South How to Meet It by Helper, Hinton Rowan

Desuetude, des′we-tūd, n. disuse: discontinuance of custom, habit, or practice.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Desuetude and crumbling enhance the grandeur of a temple.

From The Memoirs of Victor Hugo by Hugo, Victor