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Obsolescent

 - 3 dictionary results

ob⋅so⋅les⋅cent

  [ob-suh-les-uhnt]
Use Obsolescent in a Sentence
–adjective
1. becoming obsolete; passing out of use, as a word: an obsolescent term.
2. becoming outdated or outmoded, as machinery or weapons.
3. Biology. gradually disappearing or imperfectly developed, as vestigial organs.
Origin:
1745–55; < L obsolēscent- (s. of obsolēscēns, prp. of obsolēscere to fall into disuse). See obsolete, -escent

Related forms:
ob⋅so⋅les⋅cent⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Obsolescent
ob·so·les·cent   (ŏb'sə-lěs'ənt)   
adj.  

  1. Being in the process of passing out of use or usefulness; becoming obsolete.

  2. Biology Gradually disappearing; imperfectly or only slightly developed. Used of an organ or other part of an animal or plant.


[Latin obsolēscēns, obsolēscent-, present participle of obsolēscere, to fall into disuse : ob-, away; see ob- + solēre, to be accustomed to.]
ob'so·les'cence n., ob'so·les'cent·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

obsolescent 
1755, from L. obsolescentum (nom. obsolescens), prp. of obsolescere "fall into disuse" (see obsolete). Obsolescence is attested from 1828.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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