obsolete
English
Etymology
From Latin obsoletus (“worn out, gone out of use”), past participle of obsolescere (“to wear out, fall into disuse, grow old, decay”); see obsolesce.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA: /ɒbsəˈliːt/, X-SAMPA: /Qbs@ˈli:t/
- (US) enPR: äbsəˈlēt, IPA: /ɑbsəˈliːt/, X-SAMPA: /Abs@ˈli:t/
Adjective
obsolete (comparative more obsolete, superlative most obsolete)
- (of words, equipment, etc.) no longer in use; gone into disuse; disused or neglected (often by preference for something newer, which replaces the subject).
- In several years, it is speculated that the Internet's speedy delivery of news worldwide will make newspapers obsolete.
- (biology) Imperfectly developed; not very distinct.
Usage notes
- Nouns to which "obsolete" is often applied: word, phrase, equipment, computer, technology, weapon, machine, law, statute, currency, building, idea, skill, concept, custom, theory, tradition, institution.
Synonyms
- (no longer in use): ancient, antiquated, antique, archaic, disused, neglected, old, old-fashioned, out of date
- (in biology: imperfectly developed): abortive, obscure, rudimental
Derived terms
Translations
no longer in use
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in biology: imperfectly developed
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Verb
obsolete (third-person singular simple present obsoletes, present participle obsoleting, simple past and past participle obsoleted)
- (US)[1] To perform some action that causes, or attempts to cause, something to become obsolete.
- This software component has been obsoleted.
- We are in the process of obsoleting this product.
Usage notes
- To obsolete is often used in computing and other technical fields to indicate an effort to remove or replace something.
- Compare deprecated (“no longer considered correct usage”)
Related terms
Translations
to perform some action that causes something to become obsolete
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References
External links
- obsolete in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- obsolete in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
- obsolete at OneLook Dictionary Search