During every period of development of language in it the words belonging to common vocabulary, i.e. to an active lexicon function. Other layer of vocabulary – the words which left the active use and "got" to a passive stock. These are obsolete words. Distinguish group of archaisms from them – language elements (words, expressions, affixes) replaced in the modern language with synonyms.
To define archaism belonging to subgroups which make group of archaic vocabulary, find out, the word or only partially was completely archaized. For example: in vain – it is vain, this – this, cheeks – cheeks (stylistic synonyms). The Vysost – height (suffixal registration is archaized), the hall – the hall (the archaized form of belonging to a sort), goshpital – hospital (the archaized sound form of a word), etc. Define archaism belonging to subgroup. - The lexical archaism has in the modern language the corresponding synonym (the Vyya – a neck, since ancient times – from olden days, very much – very much).-The semantic archaism remained in the modern language, but is used in outdated value (a stomach – life, a shame – a show).-The Leksiko-fonetichesky archaism keeps former value, but has other sound registration (a gistoriya – history, zertsat – a mirror).-Leksiko-slovoobrazovatelny the archaism keeps former value, but has other word-formation building (rybar – the fisherman, a bedstvo – disaster). Find out stylistic function of an archaism. - Archaisms are used for reconstruction of historical color of an era. Therefore you can meet a large number of archaisms in works of art on a historical subject. - Archaisms are used for giving of the speech of a shade of solemnity, pathetic agitation (in verses, in an oratorical performance, in the publicistic speech).-Archaisms are used as means of speech characteristic of the hero in the work of art (for example, the person of a ministry, the monarch).-Archaisms are used for creation of comic effect, irony, satire, the parody (usually in feuilletons, pamphlets, epigrams). In the analysis of stylistic functions of archaisms consider that their use can be connected not with a specific stylistic objective (for example, in comic stories by A.P. Chekhov for creation of comic effect), and it is caused by features of author's style. For example, A.M. Gorky used archaisms as stylistically neutral words. Besides, you remember that archaisms are often used in the poetic speech for the rhythmic organization of the poetic work or for rhyming. The most popular reception is use of not pleophonic words (breg, a voice, gold, a hail).