Lexicographers Create Lists of Endangered Words

Posted on August 23, 2011

The Guardian reports that lexicographers at Collins Dictinary have compiled a list of words that are in danger of completely falling out of use. Seldom used words are removed periodically from Collins smaller dictionaries. Here are a few of the words.

  • Wittol - a man who tolerates his wife's infidelity
  • Charabanc - a motor coach
  • Supererogate - to do or perform more than is required
  • Alienism - the study of and treatment of mental illness
  • Succedaneum - something used as a substitute

    Collins Dictionary does not remove the endangered words from its largest dictionary because they may be useful to historians or they could come back into fashion.


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