| 释义 |
ob·so·lete
I. \|äbsə|lēt, usu -ēd.+V\ adjective
Etymology: Latin obsoletus, past participle of obsolescere to grow old, fall into disuse, perhaps from ob- to, toward + -solescere (from solēre to be accustomed) — more at ob, insolent
1. : no longer active or in use : disused, neglected: as
a. : formerly but no longer current
< an obsolete word >
< an obsolete construction >
b. : of a kind or style no longer current : outmoded
< obsolete equipment >
< an obsolete theory >
c.
(1) of a postage or revenue stamp : no longer issued by a post office : no longer on sale as a postal or revenue item
(2) of a piece of currency : no longer legal tender because demonetized or issued by an authority that is no longer in existence
d. of a business firm : gone out of existence : having ceased to conduct business
2. : worn out : reduced to a trace : effaced: as
a. of a plant or animal part : indistinct or imperfect as compared with a corresponding part in related organisms : reduced, rudimentary, vestigial
< spotting and ridges obsolete >
b. of a lesion or an infective process : diminished, indistinct, effaced
3. : regarded as out of date whether currently in use or not
< this model makes all other cars obsolete >
< the colonial system is obsolete >
Synonyms: see old
II. transitive verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Latin obsoletus, past participle of obsolescere
: to make obsolete
III. noun
(-s)
Etymology: obsolete (I)
: something that is obsolete (as a word or phrase) |