Archaisms
What Are Archaisms? (with Examples)
An archaism is the use of archaic words (or spellings). Archaisms are words that have gone out of use in modern language. Nowadays, their use is usually for impact, comic effect, or portraying a sense of the old fashioned.Examples of Archaisms
Here are some examples of archaisms in sentences:- This marks the end of an era methinks.
- Know from whence you came. If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go. (James Baldwin, 1924 - 1987)
- There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip. (old English proverb)
Examples of Archaisms
Here is a list of some common archaisms with their meanings (or approximate meanings) in today's language:Archaism | Meaning Today |
---|---|
afore | before |
agone | ago |
alack | expression of regret |
anon | at once |
aright | right |
avaunt | away |
aye | yes |
betwixt | between |
certes | certainly |
eft | again |
eke | also |
erewhile | until now |
fie | expression of disapproval |
fore | earlier |
forsooth | indeed |
forthwith | immediately |
gadzooks | mild expression of surprise |
hark | to listen |
hither | to here |
howbeit | although |
meseems | it seems to me |
methinks | I think |
nigh | almost |
nowise | not at all |
sith | since |
sooth | truth |
soothfast | faithful |
soothly | truly |
thereinto | into it |
therewith | forthwith |
therewithal | knowledge |
thither | to there |
tother | the other |
twain | two |
twixt | between |
verily | truly |
whenas | when |
whencesoever | from any place |
whichsoever | any |
whither | to what place |
whithersoever | to any place |
wist | to know |
yede | to go |
yoicks | expression of surprise |
yon | over there |
A Quick Test
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?