archaism
noun
ar·cha·ism ˈär-kē-ˌi-zəm 
-(ˌ)kā-ˌi-
1
: the use of archaic diction or style
2
: an instance of archaic usage
3
: something archaic
especially : something (such as a practice or custom) that is outmoded or old-fashioned
archaist
ˈär-kē-ist
noun -(ˌ)kā-ist
archaistic
ˌär-kē-ˈi-stik
adjective -(ˌ)kā-
archaize
ˈär-kē-ˌīz
verb -(ˌ)kā-
Example Sentences
the archaisms “methinks” and “saith”
Recent Examples on the Web Narrator Mary Lewis, raised in Newfoundland herself, delivers the book in a manner that seems stilted at first but grows more appealing as Lewis moves further into the story, with its pleasing archaisms and evocation of balked communication. 
Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2020 That phrase, which may strike some young American ears as an archaism if not an oxymoron, is worth unpacking, and Amis provides readers with a pocket account of the historical preconditions of his extravagant fame. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2018 For the Latin American left, that vision has congealed into archaism. The Economist, 12 Oct. 2017 But the main challenge for any translator is to remain true to Virgil without wrenching him into archaism or stiffness. Willard Spiegelman, WSJ, 22 Sep. 2017 Full of archaisms, the language has a neo-Nabokovian extravagance, occasionally overindulgent. Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2017
Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2020 That phrase, which may strike some young American ears as an archaism if not an oxymoron, is worth unpacking, and Amis provides readers with a pocket account of the historical preconditions of his extravagant fame. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2018 For the Latin American left, that vision has congealed into archaism. The Economist, 12 Oct. 2017 But the main challenge for any translator is to remain true to Virgil without wrenching him into archaism or stiffness. Willard Spiegelman, WSJ, 22 Sep. 2017 Full of archaisms, the language has a neo-Nabokovian extravagance, occasionally overindulgent. Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2017 Word History
Etymology
New Latin archaïsmus, from Greek archaïsmos, from archaios
First Known Use
1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1
archaistic
adjective
as in medieval
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- medieval
- archaic
- outmoded
- dated
- mediaeval
- antiquated
- fusty
- obsolete
- passé
- geriatric
- vintage
- aging
- antediluvian
- antique
- retro
- ancient
- hoary
- moldy
- immemorial
- Noachian
- out-of-date
- old-world
- ageing
- traditional
- hoar
- enduring
- permanent
- timeless
- classical
- age-old
- old-time
- aged
- durable
- prehistoric
- old
- ageless
- dateless
- lasting
- timeworn
- mature
- old-fashioned
- primeval
- primordial
- venerable
- prehistorical
- time-honored
- tried
- classic
- long-lived
- hallowed
- time-tested
- tried-and-true
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- modern
- recent
- new
- contemporary
- youthful
- young
- current
- vernal
- latest
- ultramodern
- fresh
- novel
- mod
- present-day
- untried
- untested
- unused
- unworn
- brand-new
- king cobras
- king colobus
- king conch
- king crab
- king crow
- king devil
- king duck
- king eagle
- king eider
- king fern
- king hair
- King Harry
- King James Version
- king lory
- king mackerel
- king mullet
- king nut
- king nut hickory
- king of arms
- king of beasts
- king of birds
- king of heralds
- king of kings
- king of the anteaters
- king of the mackerels