anachronism
English meaning: Anachronism
English Definition
(English)An anachronism (Greek: ana = against + chronos = time) is a chronological misplacement — a historical error or incongruity. In literature and film, anachronisms can be errors (a wristwatch in a Roman epic) or deliberate devices (Baz Luhrmann's modern soundtrack in 'Romeo + Juliet'). In political analysis, calling a policy anachronistic means it belongs to an earlier era and is no longer fit for purpose.
English Definition
A thing or person that is placed in the wrong historical period — either attributing something to an era earlier than it occurred, or retaining customs, ideas, or objects that are no longer appropriate to the current time.
Example
“Depicting Julius Caesar wearing a wristwatch in a historical film is an anachronism — wristwatches did not exist until the 19th century.”
In English: “A wristwatch in a Roman-era film is a classic anachronism — an object that did not exist in that historical period.”
Synonyms
- chronological error
- misplacement in time
Antonyms / Opposites
- contemporary
- period-accurate
Literary Heritage
“What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable!”
“What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable!”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
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