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Word of the Day: Anachronism

By Daniel

Anachronism (?-n?k’r?-n?z’?m) is the placing of a person or thing out of its natural chronological or historical time. Putting a written book in a prehistoric movie, therefore, would be considered an anachronism. Notice that in poetry and other arts anachronisms can appear both deliberately and accidentally.

The filibuster, which seems more and more an anachronism in the age of television, grew out of the practice of virtually unlimited debate that early members of Congress designed to prevent majorities from silencing minority voices. (NY Times)

At a party once I was quite fiercely attacked by a don’s wife on the theme of “the women’s page is an anachronism.” (The Guardian)

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Full post as published by Daily Writing Tips on March 01, 2008 (boomark / email).