anachronism

[ uh-nak-ruh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, especially a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time:

   The sword is an anachronism in modern warfare.

2. an error in chronology in which a person, object, event, etc., is assigned a date or period other than the correct one:

   To assign Michelangelo to the 14th century is an anachronism.

anachronism

/ əˈnækrəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the representation of an event, person, or thing in a historical context in which it could not have occurred or existed
2. a person or thing that belongs or seems to belong to another time

   she regards the Church as an anachronism

Derived Forms

• aˌnachroˈnistically, adverb
• aˌnachroˈnistic, adjective

Other Words From

• an·a·chron·i·cal·ly [an-, uh, -, kron, -ik-lee], adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of anachronism¹

1640–50; < Latin anachronismus < Greek anachronismós a wrong time reference, equivalent to anachron ( ízein ) to make a wrong time reference ( ana-, chron-, -ize ) + -ismos -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of anachronism¹

C17: from Latin anachronismus, from Greek anakhronismos a mistake in chronology, from anakhronizein to err in a time reference, from ana- + khronos time

Example Sentences

If journalism's “bias” is to report what is factual, that kind of “neutrality” in the age of Trump is rapidly becoming an anachronism of false equivalence.

From Salon

Political conventions are lumbering anachronisms, but they survive because they serve two purposes.

From Los Angeles Times

However, Cracker Barrel is a brand for which its anachronism has long been a selling point, as well as a brand whose customer base reacts strongly to any whiff of change.

From Salon

Its only real anachronisms, to today’s eyes, are Maria’s snobbish swipe at TV writers and the $1,500/month rent on her house in Beverly Hills.

From Los Angeles Times

History well told is rarely dry, yet so many tales of court intrigue either conflate seriousness with the stiffness of starched collars or bloat the action with too many anachronisms.

From Salon