word-lore

American  

[wurd-lawr, -lohr] / ˈwɜrdˌlɔr, -ˌloʊr /

Or wordlore

noun

1. a study of words and derivations.

2. the vocabulary of a particular language and the history of its words.

---

Etymology

Origin of word-lore

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

The writer on word-lore must of necessity build on what has already been done, happy if he can add a few bricks to the edifice.

From The Romance of Words (4th ed.) by Weekley, Ernest

In word-lore, as in other sciences, it is seldom safe to lay down the law without a little conscientious "hedging."

From The Romance of Words (4th ed.) by Weekley, Ernest