obsolescent

[ob-suh-les-uh nt]

See more synonyms for obsolescent on Thesaurus.com

adjective

becoming obsolete; passing out of use, as a word: an obsolescent term.
becoming outdated or outmoded, as machinery or weapons.
Biology. gradually disappearing or imperfectly developed, as vestigial organs.

Origin of obsolescent

First recorded in 1745–55, obsolescent is from the Latin word obsolēscent- (stem of obsolēscēns, present participle of obsolēscere to fall into disuse). See obsolete, -escent

Related formsob·so·les·cent·ly, adverb

Can be confusedarchaic obsolescent obsoleteobsolescent obsolete

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for obsolescent

out-of-date, senescent

Examples from the Web for obsolescent

Contemporary Examples of obsolescent

And they are living reminders that one day even Rupert will be obsolescent.
The Murdoch Family Succession Psychodrama
Alex Massie
November 24, 2011

Historical Examples of obsolescent

An obsolescent appliance for reminding assassins that they too are mortal.
The Devil's Dictionary
Ambrose Bierce
A little but not very much of this is obsolete or obsolescent.
Gryll Grange
Thomas Love Peacock
The obsolescent Atahocan seems to have had no moral activity.
Myth, Ritual, and Religion, Vol. 1
Andrew Lang
This ceremony is never trifled with, though it is now obsolescent.
Omaha sociology (1884 N 03 / 1881-1882 (pages 205-370))
James Owen Dorsey
The form with obsolescent ocelli has been named silvestris by Edwards.
The Butterfly Book
William Jacob Holland

British Dictionary definitions for obsolescent

obsolescent

adjective

becoming obsolete or out of date

Derived Formsobsolescence, nounobsolescently, adverb

Word Origin for obsolescent

C18: from Latin obsolescere; see obsolete

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for obsolescent

adj.

1755, from Latin obsolescentum (nominative obsolescens), present participle of obsolescere "fall into disuse" (see obsolete).