obsolete

Where does the word "obsolete" come from? It comes from Latin obsolescere, and was adopted directly into English (1570s).

Obsolete’s story begins in Latin: obsolescere meant “to fall into disuse.” To grow old, to fall into disuse, from ob- (away) and solescere (to become customary). It reached English by 1570s as obsolete. Settled as the English word for something no longer in use. Today, obsolete means no longer produced, used, or needed, having been replaced by something newer.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient obsolescere "to fall into disuse", to grow old, to fall into disuse, from ob- (away) and solescere (to become customary).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1570s obsolete "no longer produced or used, out of date", settled as the English word for something no longer in use.