Fossil word
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A fossil word is an obsolete word which remains in currency because it is contained within an idiom still in use.
[edit] English language examples
- Ulterior, as in 'ulterior motives'
- Fro, as in 'to and fro'
- Sleight, as in 'sleight of hand'
- Scantily, as in 'scantily clad'
- Cranny, as in 'nook and cranny'
- Yore, as in 'days of yore'
- Coign, as in 'coign of vantage'
- Wrack, as in 'wrack and ruin'
- Craw, as in 'sticks in one's craw' [1]
- Fettle, as in 'fine fettle'[2]
- Kith, as in 'kith and kin' [3]
- Spick, as in 'spick and span'
- Loggerheads as in 'at loggerheads' [4]
- Offing, as in 'in the offing' [5]
- Shrift, as in 'short shrift'[6]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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