desuetude

plural desuetudes

1. formaluncountableThe state when something (for example, a custom or a law) is no longer observed nor practised; disuse, obsolescence.

   We ſee in all things how deſuetude do's contract and narrow our faculties, ſo that we may apprehend only thoſe things wherein we are converſant.

   1674, [Richard Allestree], “Of Boasting”, in The Government of the Tongue. […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: At the Theater, →OCLC, page 168

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   And they being in a capacity to forget by reaſon of deſuetude, it will be a nevv pleaſure to them to recall to minde their almoſt obliterate ſpeculations.

   1659, Henry More, chapter IV, in The Immortality of the Soul, so Farre Forth as It is Demonstrable from the Knowledge of Nature and the Light of Reason, London: […] J[ames] Flesher, for William Morden […], →OCLC, book III, paragraph 9, page 374

   For whatſoever is derived from the law of God cannot by men admit variety, nor ſuffer diminution, or goe into deſuetude, or be extinguiſh'd by abrogation: […]

   1660, Jeremy Taylor, “Rule I. The Conscience is Properly and Directly, Actively and Passively, under Pains of Sin and Punishment, Obliged to Obey the Laws of Men.”, in Ductor Dubitantium, or the Rule of Conscience in All Her General Measures; […], volume II, London: […] [James Flesher] for R. Roiston [i.e., Richard Royston] […], →OCLC, book III (Of Humane Lavvs, Their Obligation, and Relaxation: […]), paragraph 13, page 8

   Yet ſome of the Privileges [of soldiers] I have mentioned, can certainly take no Place at this Day in any European Nation; ſince they wholly depend upon ſome Roman Conſtitutions and Cuſtoms, that are now every where gone into Deſuetude.

   1717, Alexander Bruce, “Title VII. Of the Various Immunities and Privileges Competent to Soldiers. [Modern Laws and Customs Relating to This Title.]”, in The Institutions of Military Law, Ancient and Modern: […], Edinburgh: […] [H]eirs and successors of Andrew Anderson, →OCLC, paragraph 20, page 213

   There is no doubt that, by the law of Scotland, an act of parliament may be repealed by deſuetude, or by contrary uſage; but as this is founded on an idea of general aſſent, it is evident that the deſuetude which is to operate as a repeal of a general regulation, muſt itſelf be general; […]

   1793, Simon Fraser, “The Case of the Stewartry of Orkney and Zetland”, in Reports of the Proceedings before Select Committees of the House of Commons, in the Following Cases of Controverted Elections; viz. Hellston, Oakhampton, Pontefract, Dorchester, Newark, Orkney and Zetland; Heard and Determined during the First Session of the Seventeenth Parliament of Great Britain, volume I, London: […] J[ohn] Murray, […], →OCLC, footnote, page 415

   [W]e of the house of Ravenswood do our endeavour in keeping up, by all just and lawful exertion of our baronial authority, that due and fitting connexion betwixt superior and vassal, whilk is in some danger of falling into desuetude, owing to the general license and misrule of these present unhappy times.

   1819, Jedediah Cleishbotham [pseudonym; Walter Scott], chapter I, in Tales of My Landlord, Third Series. […], volume II (The Bride of Lammermoor), Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […]; Hurst, Robinson, and Co. […], →OCLC, pages 4–5

   Synonyms: disuse, inusitation, obsoleteness, disusage, disuse, inusitation, obsolescence, obsoleteness

   1. countableformalAn instance of this.

      Owing, I will believe, to Fred's sudden flurry in the unprovided moment,—unprovided, by reason of prior desuetudes and discouragements to speech, on Papa's side.

      1858, Thomas Carlyle, “News of the Day”, in History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great, volume II, London: Chapman and Hall, […], →OCLC, book X, page 619

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      The spirit of that little school is wholly incompatible [with those] who cling to obsolete opinions and customs, and seem to be enamoured with the desuetudes of older times as such, and praising their own former times as vehemently is if they would sell them.

      1858, Kenelm Henry Digby, chapter XVIII, in The Children’s Bower; or, What You Like. […], volume II, London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, […], →OCLC, page 205

      He was an interesting young man and Sir Leonard had been delighted to make the acquaintance of one so authentically (he supposed) of the latest generation. But as a resident colleague amid the undeniably irritating deprivations, inefficiencies, and desuetudes of Great Musters, he frankly left something to be desired.

      1959, J[ohn] I[nnes] M[ackintosh] Stewart, “Poor Chowder”, in The Man Who Wrote Detective Stories: And Other Stories, New York, N.Y.: W[illiam] W[arder] Norton & Company, →OCLC, chapter 2, page 182

      Synonyms: disuse, inusitation, obsoleteness, disusage, disuse, inusitation, obsolescence, obsoleteness

2. countableformalobsoleteChiefly followed by from or of: a cessation of practising or using something.

   [T]he beſt Chriſtians, and (vvitneſs David) the greateſt Proficients in Scripture-Knovvledge, have the keeneſt Stomacks to this Food of Souls; and the vigorouſeſt Piety, by a Deſuetude and Neglect of it, is ſubject to Faint and Pine avvay.

   1663, Robert Boyle, Some Considerations Touching the Style of the H[oly] Scriptures. […], London: […] Henry Herringman, […], →OCLC, page 139

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   Again, ſome Countries were benè morati, well diſciplined in Learning, Arts, and Knowledge, but poſſibly by the Irruption of numerous Armies of Barbarous People, thoſe Countries were quickly over-grown with Barbariſm and deſuetude from their former Civility and Knowledge, and degenerated into the Ignorance and Barbariſm of their Conquerors; ſo that in a reaſonable Period of time much of their ancient Knowledge and Arts was forgotten, as if they never had it.

   a. 1677 (date written), Matthew Hale, “The Third Instance of Fact Proving the Origination of Mankind, Namely, the Invention of Arts”, in The Primitive Origination of Mankind, Considered and Examined According to the Light of Nature, London: […] William Godbid, for William Shrowsbery, […], published 1677, →OCLC, section II, page 160