A archaism is a word that belonged to Spanish of antiquity, even from the last century backwards, but it is reincorporated into current Spanish for use in modern speech. This concept comes from the adjective archaic, which by its Greek etymology means “ancient, very old”. Some of the words that have already disappeared from the Spanish language are still used in everyday communication, given that they have a specific meaning or effect on the interlocutor.
In the countries of Latin America, many archaisms are used that serve as synonyms for common words; its use is part of the linguistic identity that each country is acquiring in the development of its history. Depending on what needs to be expressed, they will be the archaisms that will be introduced to the message, to give an idea of the relationship that is being established between the sender and the receiver.
Most of the archaisms of the Spanish language originated from the Spanish used in the Middle Ages, spanning centuries up to the 17th. They were used above all in contexts that only occurred in those times and, as history progressed, these expressions and words were left aside, becoming archaisms. For this reason, the Academia de la Lengua places in its dictionaries the terms antiquated (ant.), deused (des.) or little used (p. us.).
These precede the definition of a word that falls into the category of archaism. They are also considered archaisms some word meanings that were used before and not now, discarding an old use and conserving the current ones. Archaisms have a very widespread use in writing, that is, in literary expression. When you are writing a historical novelfor example, it is essential to use them so that the characters are credible and belong to that environment.
In this article, you will find:
types of archaisms
There are two types of archaisms depending on how often they are used: absolutes and relative. This also depends on the geographical area, because all Spanish-speaking countries have had a different way of evolving. An archaism is absolute when it has disappeared of the language where he was born. An archaism is relative or partial when the use of this word or element it keeps in some Spanish-speaking region, even if they have already left others.
10 Examples of archaism
- On purpose: on purpose, with deliberate intent.
- Invite: Invite.
- Fluke: Favored luck.
- lose weight: lose weight.
- Machucar: split, crack.
- Apron: Apron.
- Slit: A long opening in the wall that passes from end to end.
- Table: Wood carved in a wavy way to wash clothes in rivers.
- Tunda: Beating.
- Evening: Night function.
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Del Moral, M. (2023, January 12). 10 Examples of Archaism. . /10-ejemplos-de-arcaismo/