Obsolescere

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To gradually become outdated or obsolete over time
2. to reach a state where something is no longer used or relevant
3. to transition into a condition of being surpassed or rendered useless

Etymology: In Latin, "obsolescere" was a process verb. The "-sc-" ending marks the beginning of an action, so the word meant "to begin to fall into disuse" or "to begin to grow old." It was formed from "obsolere," which likely combined the prefix "ob-" with "solere," "to be accustomed." The root idea is therefore falling out of habit, which explains why wearing out and passing out of use are at its core. English took the adjective "obsolete" from the Latin past participle "obsoletus," and the surrounding forms came later. The verb "obsolesce" is a back-formation, built by stripping endings from the noun "obsolescence" rather than from the Latin verb itself, so English speakers arrived at a verb from the noun, reversing the usual direction of word-building.

Synonyms: obsolete

Antonyms: modernize, renew