1. Historical Context: One way is to explore the historical context in which the words were used. This can involve studying relevant historical documents, literature, and other sources from the time period. Historical dictionaries can also be helpful in defining words according to their earlier meanings.
2. Etymology: Investigating the etymology or word origins can shed light on the changes in meaning over time. Etymology explores the development and roots of words, including their origins in different languages and the shifts in their usage.
3. Literary Analysis: For older texts, such as classic literature, literary analysis and annotations can provide explanations and interpretations of words that may have archaic or unfamiliar meanings.
4. Reference Sources: Reference materials such as dictionaries, lexicons, and glossaries specifically focused on older language or historical periods can be valuable for understanding words from different time periods.
5. Context Clues: Studying the surrounding text or context can offer clues to the meaning of unfamiliar words. Sometimes, the context can provide enough information to infer their definitions.
6. Expert Opinion: Consulting linguists, historians, literature experts, or scholars specializing in the time period can provide insights and interpretations of older language use.
7. Word Frequency: Analyzing the frequency of a particular word's usage over time can reveal changes in its meaning or popularity.
8. Cultural and Social Significance: Understanding the cultural and social context of a time period can provide insights into the specific use and significance of certain words.
By combining multiple approaches and using diverse resources, it is possible to grasp the meanings of words that were used a long time ago and gain a better understanding of historical and literary texts.