1. (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase
   - deriving, derivation

1. Give the etymology or derivation or suggest an etymology (for a word)
   "The linguist probably etymologized the words incorrectly"; "Although he is not trained in this, his hobby is etymologizing"
   - etymologise [Brit] 
2. Construct the history of words
   - etymologise [Brit]

See also: etymology

Type of: account, construct, derive, educe, explanation, reconstruct, retrace

• propositional calculus
• propositional logic
• propositus
• propound
• propoxyphene
• propoxyphene hydrochloride
• propping up
• propranolol
• proprietary
• proprietary colony
• proprietary drug
• proprietor
• proprietorial
• proprietorship
• proprietorship certificate
• proprietress
• propriety
• proprioception
• proprioceptive
• proprioceptor
• proprionamide
• props
• propulsion
• propulsion system
• propulsive