retronym
Renamed original thing
A retronym is a new name for something that distinguishes it from a newer version—terms like acoustic guitar, analog watch, or snail mail, coined only after electric guitars, digital watches, and email made the distinction necessary.
The original thing didn't need the modifier until the new thing came along.
Comparable equivalent
- landlineStationary wired telephone
- rotary phoneCircular-dial telephone
- acoustic guitarUnplugged stringed instrument
- vinyl recordGrooved analog audio disc
snail-mail · typewriter · paperback · broadcast television · manual transmission · steam locomotive · horse-drawn · abacus
Newly created expression
- back-formationWord created by deletion
- coinageInvented term or currency
- lexicographyCompiling word reference books
- etymologyWord origin study
nomenclature · designation · renaming · reclassification · rebranding · term · label · modifier
One who came first
- originalFirst or inventive
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
- vintageQuality from past eras
- classicOf lasting excellence
heritage · legacy · antique · relic · bygone · outdated · superseded · replaced
Of discrete data
- smartphoneHandheld connected computer
- emailDigital written communication
- streamingReal-time digital delivery
- internetInterconnected computer systems
wireless · LED · SSD · electric car · e-book · digital camera · Bluetooth · touchscreen
analog
Comparable equivalent
- landlineStationary wired telephone
- rotary phoneCircular-dial telephone
- acoustic guitarUnplugged stringed instrument
vinyl record · snail-mail · typewriter · paperback · broadcast television · manual transmission · steam locomotive · horse-drawn · abacus · pocket watch
neologism
Newly created expression
- back-formationWord created by deletion
- coinageInvented term or currency
- lexicographyCompiling word reference books
etymology · nomenclature · designation · renaming · reclassification · rebranding · term · label · modifier · qualifier
predecessor
One who came first
- originalFirst or inventive
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
- vintageQuality from past eras
classic · heritage · legacy · antique · relic · bygone · outdated · superseded · replaced · antiquated
digital
Of discrete data
- smartphoneHandheld connected computer
- emailDigital written communication
- streamingReal-time digital delivery
internet · wireless · LED · SSD · electric car · e-book · digital camera · Bluetooth · touchscreen · HDTV
retronymneologism
Newly created expression
protologism · generic term · nonce word · hypernym · blend