desuetude

American  

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

noun

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

---

desuetude British  

/ ˈdɛswɪtjuːd, dɪˈsjuːɪˌtjuːd /

noun

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

   those ceremonies had fallen into desuetude

---

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

Example Sentences

Certainly we must now be set on a path to mental decay and desuetude.

From Washington Post • Apr. 28, 2023

That photograph, when seen on the gallery wall, potently conveys the quandary of a man, aging but still vigorous, who has been consigned to pampered desuetude in his Palm Desert retirement.

From New York Times • Mar. 9, 2023

A very few people, not appearing to be up to much, sat far apart at desks in a dimly lighted panorama of desuetude.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 2, 2018

Meaning when you have a statute that hasn't been enforced in 215 years, there's a concept in the law called desuetude.

From Slate • Dec. 4, 2017

The inner line formerly maintained along the Lushai border has since 1895 been allowed to fall into desuetude, but Lushais visiting Cachar are required to take out passes from the superintendent of the Lushai hills.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 "Arundel, Thomas" to "Athens" by Various