archaism

• Nom désignant l'emploi d'une expression vieillie ou sortie de l'usage, ou cette expression elle-même.

A noun referring to the use of an archaic or outdated expression, or the expression itself.

1. Use of an archaic expressionC1formal

   The use of a word, phrase, or style that is no longer in common use, often to create an old-fashioned effect.

   emploi d'une expression archaïque

   • The poet's work is full of archaism, using words like 'thou' and 'doth'.
   • His speech was marked by archaism, making it sound like it came from a bygone era.
   • The novel's archaism adds a layer of historical authenticity.

   Antonymescoinagemodernismneologism

2. An archaic word or expressionC1formal

   A word or phrase that is no longer commonly used in modern language.

   Archaïsme lexical

   • 'Methinks' is an archaism that is rarely used today.
   • The dictionary lists many archaisms from Old English.
   • Using such an archaism in a modern conversation might confuse people.

   Antonymescoinagemodernismneologism