ancient, archaic; no longer in use, outdated; disappearing; useless
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Obsolete Definition from Arts & Humanities Dictionaries & Glossaries
Stamps that are no longer sold by the postal service.
Obsolete Definition from Language, Idioms & Slang Dictionaries & Glossaries
(v. i.)
To become obsolete; to go out of use.
To become obsolete; to go out of use.
(a.)
Not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive.
Not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive.
(a.)
No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused; neglected; as, an obsolete word; an obsolete statute; -- applied chiefly to words, writings, or observances.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), edited by Noah Porter. AboutNo longer in use; gone into disuse; disused; neglected; as, an obsolete word; an obsolete statute; -- applied chiefly to words, writings, or observances.
obsolete
\ob"so*lete\, v. i. to become obsolete; to go out of use. [r.] hall.
obsolete
\ob"so*lete\ (?), a. [l. obsoletus, p. p. of obsolescere. see obsolescent.]
1. no longer in use; gone into disuse; disused; neglected; as, an obsolete word; an obsolete statute; -- applied chiefly to words, writings, or observances.
2. (biol.) not very distinct; obscure; rudimental; imperfectly developed; abortive.
No longer practiced or accepted.
Obsolete, (adj.)
No longer used by the timid. Said chiefly of words. A word which some lexicographer has marked obsolete is ever thereafter an object of dread and loathing to the fool writer, but if it is a good word and has no exact modern equivalent equally good, it is good enough for the good writer. Indeed, a writer's attitude toward "obsolete" words is as true a measure of his literary ability as anything except the character of his work. A dictionary of obsolete and obsolescent words would not only be singularly rich in strong and sweet parts of speech; it would add large possessions to the vocabulary of every competent writer who might not happen to be a competent reader.
The Devil's Dictionary, by Ambrose Bierce, 1911 (About)No longer used by the timid. Said chiefly of words. A word which some lexicographer has marked obsolete is ever thereafter an object of dread and loathing to the fool writer, but if it is a good word and has no exact modern equivalent equally good, it is good enough for the good writer. Indeed, a writer's attitude toward "obsolete" words is as true a measure of his literary ability as anything except the character of his work. A dictionary of obsolete and obsolescent words would not only be singularly rich in strong and sweet parts of speech; it would add large possessions to the vocabulary of every competent writer who might not happen to be a competent reader.
Adjective
1. old; no longer in use or valid or fashionable; "obsolete words"; "an obsolete locomotive"; "outdated equipment"; "superannuated laws"; "out-of-date ideas"
(synonym) outdated, out-of-date, superannuated
(similar) noncurrent
2. no longer in use; "obsolete words"
(synonym) disused
(similar) noncurrent
Obsolete Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries
Obsolescence is the state of being which occurs when an object, service or practice is no longer wanted even though it may still be in good working order. Obsolescence frequently occurs because a replacement has become available that is superior in one or more aspects. Obsolete refers to something that is already disused or discarded, or antiquated. Typically, obsolescence is preceded by a gradual decline in popularity.
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Obsolete Definition from Law Dictionaries & Glossaries
This term is applied to those laws which have lost their efficacy, without being repealed,
A positive statute, unrepealed, can never be repealed by non-use alone. The disuse of a law is at most only presumptive evidence that society has consented to such a repeal; however this presumption may operate on an unwritten law, it cannot in general act upon one which remains as a legislative act on the statute book, because no presumption can set aside a certainty. A written law may indeed become obsolete when the object to which it was intended to apply, or the occasion for which it was enacted, no longer exists. "It must be a very strong case," says Chief Justice Tilghman, "to justify the court in deciding, that an act standing on the statute book, unrepealed, is obsolete and invalid. I will not say that such case may not exist where there has been a non-use for a great number of years where, from a change of times and manners, an ancient sleeping statute would do great mischief if suddenly brought into action where a long, practice inconsistent with it has prevailed and, specially, where from other and latter statutes it might be inferred that in the apprehension of the legislature, the old one was not in force."
This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.
Courtesy of the 'Lectric Law Library.A positive statute, unrepealed, can never be repealed by non-use alone. The disuse of a law is at most only presumptive evidence that society has consented to such a repeal; however this presumption may operate on an unwritten law, it cannot in general act upon one which remains as a legislative act on the statute book, because no presumption can set aside a certainty. A written law may indeed become obsolete when the object to which it was intended to apply, or the occasion for which it was enacted, no longer exists. "It must be a very strong case," says Chief Justice Tilghman, "to justify the court in deciding, that an act standing on the statute book, unrepealed, is obsolete and invalid. I will not say that such case may not exist where there has been a non-use for a great number of years where, from a change of times and manners, an ancient sleeping statute would do great mischief if suddenly brought into action where a long, practice inconsistent with it has prevailed and, specially, where from other and latter statutes it might be inferred that in the apprehension of the legislature, the old one was not in force."
This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.
Obsolete Definition from Entertainment & Music Dictionaries & Glossaries
