Top Ten Archaic Words

You might associate this word with using both hands at first, but this word is actually used to call out people who are deemed distrustful. This is a clever word if you want to banter with someone who is ambidextrous.

Another way of saying the word "formerly," as in before time.

An archaic term for the word "bully".

Means "mind the water" from the French phrase "garde à l'eau" or "Prenez garde à l'eau" (beware of the water). Back in the medieval ages, people would shout this phrase to warn others passing by if they were dumping waste from chamber pots out of the windows above the upper floors. Hygiene was often ignored at that time.

Don't confuse this word with "smart". Brainish actually means being impulsive or it could mean passionate.

Borrowed from the Latin word "caligo" meaning gloom, darkness. It may also be borrowed from the Middle French word "caligineux."

It's just like the word "wade," which means walking through water or mud, but in this archaic term, you drag your feet through the mud.

An old word for making a frown as if you're upset.

Means earlier than usual, as in waking up earlier than your usual routine.

Means "pray thee." Basically, an archaic version of the word "please."

Someone who buys and sells rare books.

This simply describes authorship or is used as a compliment of how good an author is.

A kite that flies in the 3rd depths of the hells (just kidding). Hellkite is used to describe someone as cruel.

This is an old term for describing someone as joyful.

Basically, an archaic plural term for eyes.

Another old term to describe something large.

An older, archaic version of the word "help".

An older word for a male servant. It is also used as a fancier word for a male lover.

An older word for the verb wake up. It also means to make a sudden movement.