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anachronism

Noun

IPA /əˈnækrənɪzəm/

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Meaning in plain English

Something shown or placed in a historical period where it could not actually have existed or belonged.

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Pronunciation

anachronism/əˈnækrənɪzəm/

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A film is set in the Middle Ages
A character wears a digital watch

The modern watch is an anachronism because it does not belong in that historical period.

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The digital watch in the medieval film was an obvious anachronism.
Our history tutor spotted an anachronism in the novel's opening scene.

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The digital watch in the medieval film was an obvious ________.

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anachronism — Something shown or placed in a historical period where it could not actually have existed or belonged.

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Something shown or placed in a historical period where it could not actually have existed or belonged.

Compare: The digital watch in the medieval film was an obvious anachronism.

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Word origin

From Greek anakhronismos, combining elements meaning backwards and time.

Did you know?

Anachronism can also describe something that seems out of place because it belongs to an earlier age.

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