"Archaic" - this word evokes thoughts of hoary antiquity, for example, about Ancient Egypt and Greece. And these are true associations. But in fact, the meaning of this token is somewhat wider, it can be applied to very old times, and closer to today. More on the fact that it is “archaic” will be discussed later.
What does the dictionary say?
As a rule, two meanings of the word under study are indicated there, although they are very close to each other.
The first option denotes objects, phenomena and times related to the distant past. Here are examples of use in this meaning:
- In archaic societies, the main form for the transfer of material goods was barter.
- The archaic era is the era of the Dorians, therefore, the theater of those times should be considered as an expression of the culture of this people.
- The roots of pagan beliefs can easily be found in many archaic cultures.
- Quite often, archaic myths leave us only the names of some gods, this is very characteristic of Slavic mythology.
Second value
The word "archaic" sometimes means what has already become obsolete, is outdated, outdated. This may be, for example, custom or expression. Use cases:
- It should be noted that modern Masons write their versions of rituals in archaic language, stylizing expressions under the 19th century.
- Many phraseological units contain archaic elements that are lexical and grammatical in nature.
- When a person experiences emotional shock and begins to speak in a forgotten language, he has a reaction to an archaic image that has long gone out of use.
- This symbolist poet is characterized by the use of archaic Russian words. He does this because he is afraid of the commonplace word used in everyday life to give the depicted object a shade of everyday vulgarity.
Synonyms
Words that are close in meaning to "archaic" are:
- ancient;
- long-standing;
- long-standing;
- outdated;
- antediluvian;
- out of date;
- anachronistic;
- obsolete;
- fossil;
- out of print;
- Old Testament;
- old;
- obsolete;
- old style;
- outdated;
- old fashioned;
- old;
- patriarchal;
- Old Testament
- dilapidated;
- primitive;
- surviving;
- archaeological;
- ancient;
- primordial;
- authentic;
- centuries-old;
- immemorial;
- atavistic;
- secular;
- eternal;
- perennial;
- stagnant;
- inveterate;
- Old World;
- dilapidated.
The list is far from complete. Further, for the best assimilation of the fact that it is “archaic”, the etymology of the word will be considered.
Origin
The roots of the studied token are traced by etymologists to the depth of centuries. In the ancient Greek language, there is a noun ἀρχή, which translates as "beginning, superiors". From it came the adjective ἀρχαῖος in the meaning of "ancient."
From ancient Greek, this word passed into many European languages, such as:
- English - archaic;
- Italian - arcaico;
- German - archaisch;
- French - archaïque.
It is believed that in the Russian language this adjective came from French by borrowing.
"Archaic period"
This is a term meaning an early stage in the development of a particular civilization. So, in Egypt, it covers the time from 3200 to 2800 BC. e., that is, the first two dynasties. Then the country was united and entered its first cultural heyday.
In Greece, this period coincided with the formation of civilization, which was observed in 750-480 BC. e. (before the invasion of the Persians).
As for the position of American scientists, they believe that the meaning of the term refers not so much to the chronological period as to the stage of development. For her, hunting and gathering are characteristic as the basis of the economy. In certain circumstances, the tribes moved to settled, made ceramics. They even engaged in agriculture, complementing this occupation with the collection of wild flora.