diachrony
[ dahy-ak-ruh-nee ]
noun,plural di·ach·ro·nies.
historical change.
Linguistics.
the study of a linguistic system through comparison of different points in its history; a diachronic approach to language study: The analysis emphasizes diachrony as a means for understanding sound systems.: Compare synchrony (def. 2).
change or development in a linguistic system over a period of time: The diachrony of the language suggests that the bare form was the original.
Origin of diachrony
1First recorded in 1955–60; diachron(ic) + -y3
Words Nearby diachrony
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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