Etymology is the study of the origins and historical development of words.
2. countable noun
The etymology of a particular word is its history.
More Synonyms of etymology
etymology in British English
(ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-gies
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
Derived forms
etymological (ˌɛtɪməˈlɒdʒɪkəl)
adjective
etymologically (ˌetymoˈlogically)
adverb
etymologist (ˌetyˈmologist)
noun
Word origin
C14: via Latin from Greek etumologia; see etymon, -logy
etymology in American English
(ˌɛtəˈmɑlədʒi)
nounWord forms: pluralˌetyˈmologies
1.
the origin and development of a word, affix, phrase, etc.; the tracing of a word or other form back as far as possible in its own language and to its source in contemporary or earlier languages
in this dictionary etymologies are given in doubled brackets preceding the sensesto which they apply
2.
the branch of linguistics dealing with word origin and development
Word origin
ME & OFr ethimologie < L etymologia < Gr: see etymon & -logy
Examples of 'etymology' in a sentence
etymology
I remember the etymology of the word Oz, at least as proposed at a lecture by our Head, Madame Morrible.
Gregory Maguire WICKED: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST (2002)
(noun)
Definition
an account of the source and development of a word
The etymology of the word `neon' is the Greek for `new'.