Archaic words and their modern versions

Archaic words are words that were once widely used. Many archaic words were used during the Middle Ages, like when Shakespeare was writing his many plays. Archaic words are no longer in everyday use or have lost a particular meaning in current usage. However they are sometimes used to impart an old-fashioned flavour.

Some examples of archaic words and their modern versions:

• afore - before
• agone - ago
• alow - below
• an - if
• aye - yes
• enow - enough
• ere - before
• eyne - eyes
• forthwith - immediately
• heretofore - until now
• inly - inwardly; thoroughly
• mayhap - perhaps
• nigh - nearly; almost
• parcel - partly
• sith - since
• somedeal - somewhat
• somewhither - to some place; somewhere
• sooth - truth; reality; in truth
• swith - instantly; quickly
• therewithal - besides
• thro - through
• twain - two
• verily - truly; certainly; confidently
• whereinto - into which; into what
• whereof - of what
• whereon - on what
• whither - to what place
• zounds -  mild oath