Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

[Gr.

ἀρχαϊσμός

, fr.

ἀρχαῖοσ

ancient, fr.

ἀρχή

beginning: cf. F.

archaïsme

. See

Adj.

]

An ancient, antiquated, or old-fashioned, word, expression, or idiom; a word or form of speech no longer in common use.

Antiquity of style or use; obsoleteness.

A select vocabulary corresponding (in point of

archaism

and remoteness from ordinary use) to our Scriptural vocabulary.

De Quincey.

Noun.

[Gr. ancient, from beginning.]

An ancient or obsolete phrase or expression.