Antediluvian
Word of the Day
What is Antediluvian?
adjective
Ridiculously old-fashioned; belonging to the time before the biblical Flood.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to invite upgrades where tradition has calcified.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
Antediluvian rules blocked remote work.
The museum preserves antediluvian machinery.
He mocked their antediluvian attitudes.
Word Origins
Latin ante- “before” + diluvium “flood”
Literal biblical sense broadened to “very old.”
First appearance in English: 17th century
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
-
Adjective:
Archaic protocols slowed onboarding.
-
Adjective:
Obsolete gear filled the closet.
-
Adjective:
Superannuated forms lingered in HR.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: antediluviano
- French: antédiluvien
- German: vorsintflutlich
- Italian: antediluviano
- Portuguese: antediluviano
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Obsolete
No longer used; antediluvian is absurdly old-fashioned.
Primeval
Ancient in time; antediluvian is humorous hyperbole.
Paleolithic
Specific prehistoric period; antediluvian is figurative.
Fun Facts
- Geologists once used “Diluvium” for flood-laid deposits.
- Cartoons exploit the word for comic exaggeration.
Cultural Usage
- Victorian authors loved antediluvian imagery for deep time.
- Critics call legacy stacks antediluvian when unmaintained.
Common Mistakes
Not “antedilution”; unrelated business term.
Micro Story
Their antediluvian filing system relied on fax machines.