We all use the word "antediluvian" from time to time, sometimes without even thinking where it came from. Almost everyone knows what it means and in what cases it is used. However, not everyone understands the history of its origin. "Antediluvian" is a word that didn't just come from a random jumble of letters. What does it mean and when did it appear?
"Antediluvian". What does the wordmean
Surely everyone knows the biblical story of the Flood. This is a great flood that God sent to people as a punishment for their iniquity and moral decline. As a result, all life on Earth perished, except for the pious Noah, his family, and "every creature in pairs." They were saved from the flood on the huge ship built by Noah - the ark.
The word "antediluvian" in Russian appeared in the eighteenth century. It was formed from the noun "flood", and the prefix do- denoted that the events took place before the great flood. The time at which the Flood occurred was taken as a starting point. The Flood itself happened a very long time ago, and what happened before it is extremely ancient.
What does the word "antediluvian" mean? According to the explanatory dictionary, "antediluvian" is obsolete, old-fashioned, extinct, backward. Before30-40s In the nineteenth century, the word was used in a more literal sense, that is, it characterized events that occurred before the Flood. Later, it acquired an ironic connotation and began to be used in a playful tone, denoting something very ancient and backward.
Examples of Antediluvian Uses
Let's consider examples of the use of the term "antediluvian" in the literature. What does the word mean in the works of writers? The expression "antediluvian" was used in the works of many writers and poets. For example, Lermontov in his "Valerik" uses this word, characterizing the forests, over which lighthouses flickered. I. S. Turgenev mentions him in Literary and Worldly Memoirs, describing the times in which the conversation between Pletnev and Koltsov took place. V. S. Kurochkin calls the pun "antediluvian" in his poem titled "A Mutual Acquaintance".
The sharpest turn in the figurative use of the word "antediluvian" in the expressive presentation is associated with the name Ap. Grigoriev. A. Galakhov in 1877 noted the original style of the author, who, in addition to other new terms used by him, uses the word "antediluvian" in relation to Polezhaev, Lazhechnikov and Marlinsky. Galakhov notes that it is not entirely correct to use the word “antediluvian” in relation to them, since it turns out that they existed even before the Flood. In his opinion, this pun could give rise to magazine mockery of them.
Synonyms and antonyms of the word
We have already found out the meaning of the word "antediluvian" concept. Like ualmost any word in the Russian language, this term also has synonyms and antonyms. What are the synonyms for the word "antediluvian"? These are: Old Testament, obsolete, old-fashioned, backward, fossil, archaic and others. The word "pre-war" is also often used. It has a similar principle of formation, however, not the Flood, but the Great Patriotic War is taken as a starting point.
It is clear that this term is more modern, since the Flood occurred much earlier than military action. However, the meaning of these two words is very similar.
The antonym of the word "antediluvian", which means ancient, respectively, are the following words: modern, current.
Conclusion
The scope of the use of the word "antediluvian" is very interesting. The meaning of the word, as already noted above, is most often used in a joking expression. It is quite common in the general lexicon. Not so often it is mentioned in history, as well as colloquially and figuratively.
This adjective can be used with many words. It can be used to describe vintage appliances, outdated equipment, old-fashioned views on some things, etc. This term can be used to describe everything that was created a very long time ago or has gone out of fashion. It is only necessary to take into account the fact that in the modern world this adjective has an ironic connotation, and by calling someone or something "antediluvian" you can offend someone's feelings.
So use itcarefully, having de alt with the history of its occurrence and use, so as not to accidentally offend anyone and not cause negative emotions in your address.
