etymologize

American  

[et-uh-mol-uh-jahyz] / ˌɛt əˈmɒl əˌdʒaɪz /

especially British, etymologise

verb (used with object)

etymologized, etymologizing

1. to trace the history of (a word).

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verb (used without object)

etymologized, etymologizing

1. to study etymology.

2. to give or suggest the etymology of words.

etymologize British  

/ ˌɛtɪˈmɒləˌdʒaɪz /

verb

1. to trace, state, or suggest the etymology of (a word)

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Other Word Forms

• etymologizable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of etymologize

From the Late Latin word etymologizāre, dating back to 1520–30. See etymology, -ize

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

etymologize etymologizing

Have no faith in those who etymologize on the strength of sounds, and not on that of letters, and of letters, moreover, dealt with according to fixed and recognized laws of equivalence and permutation.

From On the Study of Words by Trench, Richard Chenevix

All experience, indeed, proves how perilous it is to etymologize at random, and on the strength of mere surface similarities of sound.

From On the Study of Words by Trench, Richard Chenevix

Before etymologizing on the word, we must try to fix its Old Celtic form.

From Lectures on The Science of Language by Müller, Max

False etymologizing also has given rise to new values just as it has given rise to new spellings in English.

From A Primer of Assyriology by Sayce, A. H. (Archibald Henry)