obsolete
UK /ˈɒbsəliːt/ · US /ˈɑbsəlit/ adjective, verb, noun
Forms obsoletes obsoleting obsoleted absolete
- adjective (of words, equipment, etc.) No longer in use or no longer useful; now disused or neglected (often in favour of something newer, better, or more fashionable); outmoded. “Speedy, worldwide, accessible delivery of news through the Web has made newspapers obsolete.”
- adjective (biology) Imperfectly developed; not very distinct.
- verb (transitive) To cause to become obsolete. “This software component has been obsoleted.”
- noun An obsolete thing or person.
Synonyms
antiquated deprecated disused abortive obscure rudimental anachronistic antediluvial antediluvian antique archaic backward backwards behind the times cobwebbed cobwebby dated defunct desuete discontinued
Antonyms
active current employed fashionable future proof in use nascent new newfangled novel recent up-to-date
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin obsolētus (“worn out, gone out of use”), past participle of obsolēscere (“to wear out, fall into disuse, grow old, decay”); see obsolesce.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused; neglected; as, an obsolete word; an obsolete statute; --applied chiefly to words, writings, or observances.
- adjective Not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive.
- verb To become obsolete; to go out of use. [R.] Fitzed. Hall.
Etymology [L. obsoletus, p.p. of obsolescere. See Obsolescent.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “obsolete”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details