obsolete
[ob-suh-leet, ob-suh-leet]
adjective
no longer in general use; fallen into disuse: an obsolete expression.
of a discarded or outmoded type; out of date: an obsolete battleship.
(of a linguistic form) no longer in use, especially, out of use for at least the past century.Compare archaic.
effaced by wearing down or away.
Biology. imperfectly developed or rudimentary in comparison with the corresponding character in other individuals, as of the opposite sex or of a related species.
verb (used with object), ob·so·let·ed, ob·so·let·ing.
to make obsolete by replacing with something newer or better; antiquate: Automation has obsoleted many factory workers.
RELATED CONTENT
What is the difference between archaic and obsolete words?The meaning of these temporal labels can be somewhat different among dictionaries and thesauri. The label archaic is used for words that were once common but are now rare. Archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time. Obsolete indicates that a term is no longer in active use, except, for example, in literary quotation. Obsolete may apply to a word regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though …
RELATED WORDS
antiquated, archaic, outmoded, out-of-date, ancient, antediluvian, antique, bygone, dated, dead, discarded, dusty, extinct, fossil, gone, kaput, moldy, moth-eaten, old, old-fashioned
Nearby words
- obsidional coin,
- obsolesc.,
- obsolesce,
- obsolescence,
- obsolescent,
- obstacle,
- obstacle course,
- obstacle race,
- obstet.,
- obstetric
Origin of obsolete
Usage note
Terms and definitions labeled Obsolete in this dictionary have not been in widespread use since the mid 1700s. Unlike some relatively familiar archaic words and phrases, like prithee and thou art, obsolete words and phrases are not easily understood by a modern reader, and obsolete senses of current terms, as found in definitions 13, 14, and 15 of nice, are even more difficult for a contemporary reader to recognize.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for obsolete
obsolete
adjective
Word Origin for obsolete
C16: from Latin obsolētus worn out, past participle of obsolēre (unattested), from ob- opposite to + solēre to be used
usage
The word obsoleteness is hardly ever used, obsolescence standing as the noun form for both obsolete and obsolescent
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
obsolete
1570s, from Latin obsoletus "grown old, worn out," past participle of obsolescere "fall into disuse," probably from ob "away" (see ob-) + an expanded form of solere "to be used to, be accustomed" (see insolent).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper