— obsoletely , adv. — obsoleteness , n.
/ob'seuh leet", ob"seuh leet'/ , adj., v., obsoleted, obsoleting .
adj.
1. no longer in general use; fallen into disuse: an obsolete expression.
2. of a discarded or outmoded type; out of date: an obsolete battleship.
3. (of a linguistic form) no longer in use, esp., out of use for at least the past century. Cf. archaic .
4. effaced by wearing down or away.
5. Biol. imperfectly developed or rudimentary in comparison with the corresponding character in other individuals, as of the opposite sex or of a related species.
v.t.
6. to make obsolete by replacing with something newer or better; antiquate: Automation has obsoleted many factory workers.
[ 1570-80; obsoletus, ptp. of obsolescere to fall into disuse, perh. equiv. to ob- OB- + sol ( ere ) to be accustomed to + -escere -ESCE ]
Syn. 2. antiquated, ancient, old.
Ant. 1, 2. new, modern.