obsolete
[ ob-suh-leet, ob-suh-leet ]
/ ˌɒb səˈlit, ˈɒb səˌlit /
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of a discarded or outmoded type; out of date: an obsolete battleship.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.
Origin of obsolete
usage note for obsolete
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.
OTHER WORDS FROM obsolete
Words nearby obsolete
obsidional coin,
obsolesc.,
obsolesce,
obsolescence,
obsolescent,
obsolete,
obstacle,
obstacle course,
obstacle race,
obstet.,
obstetric
Example sentences from the Web for obsolete
British Dictionary definitions for obsolete
obsolete
/ (ˈɒbsəˌliːt, ˌɒbsəˈliːt) /
adjective
out of use or practice; not current
out of date; unfashionable or outmoded
biology
(of parts, organs, etc) vestigial; rudimentary
Derived forms of obsolete
obsoletely, adverb obsoleteness, nounWord Origin for obsolete
C16: from Latin
obsolētus worn out, past participle of
obsolēre (unattested), from
ob- opposite to +
solēre to be used
usage for obsolete
The word
obsoleteness is hardly ever used,
obsolescence standing as the noun form for both
obsolete and
obsolescent