held her head erect

[Over the top]

"Her mouth trembled, but she held her head proudly erect" from a novel writen in 1971

Is 'erect' old-fashioned word? Can I use it instead of 'high' for instance
Thank you

 

[billmcd]

I wouldn't classify it as old-fashioned. It is often used in terms of stature as in "They stood erect during the ceremony".

 

[Tdol]

It may not be old-fashioned, but it isn't used much, and then mostly in formal contexts IMO.

 

[bhaisahab]

"Her mouth trembled, but she held her head proudly erect" from a novel writen in 1971

Is 'erect' an old-fashioned word? Can I use it instead of 'high' for instance?
Thank you.

Bhai.

 

[Tullia]

"Her mouth trembled, but she held her head proudly erect" from a novel writen in 1971

Is 'erect' old-fashioned word? Can I use it instead of 'high' for instance
Thank you

I think it's important to point out it's not perfectly interchangeable with "high" in all contexts.

 

[BobSmith]

I think it's important to point out it's not perfectly interchangeable with "high" in all contexts.

[AmE - not a teacher]

In fact, I think "high" is a much better choice. "To hold your head high" is a common phrase for exactly the meaning in the passage. Holding your head erect, while grammatical, needs the modifier "proudly" to convey the same meaning.