skeuomorphism

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek σκεῦος (skeûos, “implement”) + -morphism, or skeuomorph +‎ -ism.

Noun

skeuomorphism (countable and uncountable, plural skeuomorphisms)

1. The incorporation of obsolete or skeuomorphic elements into a design, for familiarity or out of tradition, even though they no longer serve any functional purpose.
   • 1989, George Basalla, The Evolution of Technology‎^[1], Cambridge University Press, →ISBN:

     Skeuomorphism is not a thing of the past nor is it limited to traditional crafts. It is found today in countless articles being made from plastic for the first time.

Translations

practice of incorporating obsolete or skeuomorphic elements into a design

• French: skeuomorphisme (fr) m