Parachronistic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. something that exists or occurs at a time period other than its own, whether by design or error, disrupting historical accuracy
2. Referring to something placed or happening in a time period that does not match its true historical era
3. Describing an object, event, or idea that is incorrectly attributed to a different time than it actually belongs to

Etymology: "Parachronistic" is built from three Greek elements. "Para-" means "beside" or "next to," "chron-" comes from "chronos," meaning "time," and "-istic" is an adjective-forming suffix. Put together, the sense is something set alongside a time that does not belong to it. The word is a close relative of "anachronistic," which describes something placed in the wrong period by coming too late or too early, and "parachronism," the noun form. Where "anachronism" points to a misplacement in time, "parachronistic" carries the same idea through the "para-" prefix, which suggests a position running beside the true era rather than before or after it.

Synonyms: anachronistic, outdated, old-fashioned, outmoded, timeless

Antonyms: contemporary, modern, current, timely, up-to-date