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anachronism

a·nach·ro·nism [ ə nákrə nìzzəm ] (plural a·nach·ro·nisms)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. chronological mistake: something from a different period of time, e.g. a modern idea or invention wrongly placed in a historical setting in fiction or drama

2. something from different historical period: a person, thing, idea, or custom that seems to belong to a different time in history

3. making of chronological mistake: the representation of somebody or something out of chronological order or in the wrong historical setting

[Mid-17th century. < French anachronisme< late Greek anakhronizesthai "be timed backward" < khronos "time"]

a·nach·ro·nous [ ə nákrənəss ] adjective
a·nach·ro·nous·ly adverb
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