outworn
UK[ˌaʊtˈwɔːn]US[ˌaʊtˈwɔːrn]
adj
no longer useful or acceptable because of being old-fashioned
adj
worn out or exhausted
Morpheme Breakdown
out
worn
out
beyond, excessively
worn
Etymology
the word 'outworn' is a compound formed from two native english elements. the prefix 'out-' derives from old english 'ūt', meaning 'out, beyond, to excess', and is used here in an intensive or completive sense. the second element is the past participle 'worn' of the old english verb 'werian', meaning 'to wear, carry, or have on the body'. the literal sense of something being 'excessively worn' or 'worn out' evolved naturally into the figurative meaning of ideas, customs, or practices that are exhausted, obsolete, or no longer viable due to overuse or the passage of time. this semantic shift from physical deterioration to abstract obsolescence is a common pattern in english word formation.
Analysis
Structure: out + worn
out (old english, prefix meaning 'beyond, excessively'); worn (old english, past participle of 'wear', meaning 'to have on the body' or 'to deteriorate through use')
Examples
the outworn traditions of the past were finally abandoned by the new generation.
his outworn shoes were full of holes and offered no protection from the rain.
the argument, though emotionally charged, was based on outworn ideologies.