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

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

Not because those words aren’t fitting descriptors for Ani, but because she’s far more complex than a couple of attributes you can pull from the etymology section of a mommy blog.

From Salon

There are corners of the internet that spend more time worrying about the etymology of Darth Vader’s name than the policies of any politician.

From Salon

Near the end, on “Ti nèg,” Joachim contrasts a peaceable tone with what the album’s liner notes describe as an effort to reclaim “the etymology of the N word.”

From New York Times