The word obsolescence is spelled with a silent 'b'. The IPA phonetic transcription is /ˌɑːbsəˈlesəns/. This means the first syllable 'ob' is pronounced as 'ɑːb' and the second syllable 'lescence' is pronounced as 'ləsəns'. As the 'b' is silent, it's important to remember that this word has five syllables, not six. Obsolescence refers to the process of becoming outdated or no longer useful, which can be an issue in our rapidly advancing technological society.
Obsolescence is a term used to describe the state or process of becoming outdated, old-fashioned, or no longer useful or relevant. It refers to the condition when something, such as an object, technology, idea, or practice, becomes obsolete due to advancements in technology, changes in social or cultural norms, or the emergence of newer and more efficient alternatives.
When something is considered obsolete, it means that it is no longer in active use or demand and has been replaced by newer versions or superior alternatives. This can occur in various domains, including technology, fashion, language, and industries. For instance, the rapid development of technology often leads to the obsolescence of older devices or software as more advanced and efficient ones are introduced to the market.
The process of obsolescence can be driven by various factors, including innovation, economic considerations, or changes in consumer preferences. Companies may intentionally design their products with a limited lifespan, known as planned obsolescence, in order to encourage consumers to purchase newer versions or models. Additionally, obsolescence can also occur due to advancements in society, such as the shift from traditional forms of communication to digital platforms, rendering older practices or technologies obsolete.
Overall, obsolescence is a term that signifies the state or process of being outdated or rendered obsolete, making way for newer, more advanced alternatives.
Falling into disuse, noting the abolition of a function.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The state of becoming obsolete or going out of use.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "obsolescence" has its origins in the Latin language. It can be traced back to the Latin verb "obsolescere", which means "to grow out of use" or "to fall into disuse".
The word is derived from the combination of two Latin elements:
- The prefix "ob-" which denotes a state of being in opposition or facing in front.
- The verb "solescere" which means "to become used to" or "to become accustomed".
When combined, they create "obsolescentia", the Latin noun form meaning "process of becoming obsolete".
Over time, the word "obsolescence" has been adopted into English, and it refers to the state or process of becoming outdated or no longer in use.