dead language; extinct language
Refers to a language that no longer has any native speakers, such as Latin or Ancient Greek. Antonym: 活語 (living language).
Antonyms: 活語
Latin is a dead language, but it is still used in academic terminology.
obsolete word; dated word
Describes a word that has fallen out of use and is no longer part of the active vocabulary. Often used in discussions about language change. Related term: 廃語 (obsolete word).
See also: 廃語
The word 'shame' (photo message) is becoming obsolete.
The word "ikeru" has now become almost obsolete.
That expression is regarded as outdated slang among young people.
古語 refers to a classical word still studied in old texts, whereas 死語 emphasizes that a word has completely dropped out of active use.
Compound of 死 (death) and 語 (language/word). The meaning 'dead language' is a direct calque from Western linguistics; the extended sense 'obsolete word' developed naturally in Japanese.