GRE General TestVerbal ReasoningMedium
A linguist, studying the evolution of language, observed that certain words, once common, had become entirely ______ in modern usage, their meanings now obscure to all but specialized scholars.
- Anascent
- Bubiquitous
- Cantiquated
- Dsalient
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. antiquated
The sentence describes words that were 'once common' but are now 'entirely ______ in modern usage' and whose 'meanings now obscure to all but specialized scholars.' This indicates that the words are old-fashioned or no longer in general use. 'Antiquated' means old-fashioned or outdated, which perfectly fits this description.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Nascent means just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential, which is the opposite of old and obscure.
- B. Ubiquitous means present, appearing, or found everywhere, which is the opposite of the intended meaning.
- D. Salient means most noticeable or important, which is not related to being obscure due to age.
Semantic Age/Obsolescence
This concept tests the understanding of words that describe the state of being old, outdated, or no longer in common use, often inferred from context clues about their former prevalence and current obscurity.
- Look for temporal indicators (e.g., 'once common', 'modern usage').
- Identify clues about current status (e.g., 'meanings now obscure', 'all but specialized scholars').
- Choose a word that denotes being old-fashioned or obsolete.
Memory trick: Words wither with time, becoming ancient echoes.