etymology

American  

[et-uh-mol-uh-jee] / ˌɛt əˈmɒl ə dʒi /

noun

plural

etymologies

1. the derivation of a word.

   Synonyms:

   origin, derivation

2. a chronological account of the birth and development of a particular word or element of a word, often delineating its spread from one language to another and its evolving changes in form and meaning.

3. the study of historical linguistic change, especially as manifested in individual words.

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etymology British  

/ ˌɛtɪməˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the study of the sources and development of words and morphemes

2. an account of the source and development of a word or morpheme

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Other Word Forms

• etymologic adjective
• etymological adjective
• etymologically adverb
• etymologist noun
• pseudoetymological adjective
• pseudoetymologically adverb
• subetymology noun
• unetymologic adjective
• unetymological adjective
• unetymologically adverb

Etymology

Origin of etymology

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin etymologia, from Greek etymología, equivalent to etymológ(os) “studying the true meanings and values of words” ( étymo(s) “true” + lógos “word, reason”) + -ia noun suffix; etymon, -y ³

Example Sentences

For example, prompts that encourage models to think about word origins and structure using etymology lead to more unexpected associations and higher creativity scores.

From Science Daily

But both etymology and history suggest something more complicated.

From The Wall Street Journal

The editors have also added sidebar features with etymology and trivia.

From The Wall Street Journal

Among the notes included in the “Furlough’s Paradise” script is an etymology of the word “furlough” — as in, “permission, liberty granted to do something.”

From Los Angeles Times

As a child, Kim enjoyed looking up words in the dictionary and learning their etymology, a hobby that endured into adulthood.

From Los Angeles Times