Pronunciation: /ˈrɛtrəˌnɪm/
noun In linguistics, a retronym is a type of word that is used to specify the original meaning of a term that has been used for a different meaning due to technological or social changes.
A1 A retronym is a new term created for an existing object or concept.
A2 In English, retronyms are often used to distinguish between old and new versions of technology.
B1 The term 'analog watch' is a retronym used to differentiate traditional watches from digital ones.
B2 As technology advances, more retronyms are being introduced to describe older versions of products.
C1 The evolution of language can be seen in the creation of retronyms to reflect changes in society.
C2 Understanding the concept of retronyms can provide insight into how language adapts to technological advancements.
formal The term 'landline telephone' is a retronym that was coined after the invention of mobile phones.
informal They now call it 'regular coffee' as a retronym because of all the fancy new coffee options.
slang My dad still refers to CDs as 'old school music discs' - what a retronym!
figurative Using the term 'analog watch' as a retronym for traditional watches is quite clever.
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