Etymology Borrowed from Latin obsolētus (“worn out, gone out of use”), past participle of obsolēscere (“to wear out, fall into disuse, grow old, decay”); see obsolesce.
1
Usually, Of words No longer in use or no longer useful; now disused or neglected (often in favour of something newer, better, or more fashionable); outmoded.
Speedy, worldwide, accessible delivery of news through the Web has made newspapers obsolete.
Horses became obsolete means of transportation in cities in the first half of the twentieth century.
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Since the launch early last year of […] two Silicon Valley start-ups offering free education through MOOCs, massive open online courses, the ivory towers of academia have been shaken to their foundations. University brands built in some cases over centuries have been forced to contemplate the possibility that information technology will rapidly make their existing business model obsolete.2013 July 20, “The attack of the MOOCs”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845:
2
Biology, Natural sciences Imperfectly developed; not very distinct.
These two birds somewhat closely resemble each other, but the Sedge Warbler is russet-brown above, the feathers with dark centres, the pale buff eyestripe is very clearly defined, and the underparts are buffish white; the Reed Warbler is more olive on the upper parts, the feathers having no dark centres, the underparts are more inclined to buff, and the eyestripe is nearly obsolete.1891, Charles Dixon, The Birds of Our Rambles: With a Companion for the Country, page 130:
Etymology Borrowed from Latin obsolētus (“worn out, gone out of use”), past participle of obsolēscere (“to wear out, fall into disuse, grow old, decay”); see obsolesce.
1
To cause to become obsolete.
This software component has been obsoleted.
We are in the process of obsoleting this product.
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Should we develop nonhuman minds that might eventually outnumber, outsmart, obsolete and replace us?2023 March 22, “Pause Giant AI Experiments: An Open Letter”, in Future of Life Institute:
Etymology Borrowed from Latin obsolētus (“worn out, gone out of use”), past participle of obsolēscere (“to wear out, fall into disuse, grow old, decay”); see obsolesce.