Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
etymology [et-uh-mol-uh-jee] ExamplesWord Origin noun, plural et·y·mol·o·gies.
- the derivation of a word.
- 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.
- the study of historical linguistic change, especially as manifested in individual words.
Origin of etymology 1350–1400; Middle English Latin etymologia Greek etymología, equivalent to etymológ(os) studying the true meanings and values of words (étymo(s) true (see etymon) + lógos word, reason) + -ia -y3 Related formset·y·mo·log·i·cal [et-uh-muh-loj-i-kuh l] /ˌɛt ə məˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, et·y·mo·log·ic, adjectiveet·y·mo·log·i·cal·ly, adverbet·y·mol·o·gist, nounpseu·do·et·y·mo·log·i·cal, adjectivepseu·do·et·y·mo·log·i·cal·ly, adverbsub·et·y·mol·o·gy, noun, plural sub·et·y·mol·o·gies.un·et·y·mo·log·ic, adjectiveun·et·y·mo·log·i·cal, adjectiveun·et·y·mo·log·i·cal·ly, adverbCan be confusedentomology etymology Examples from the Web for etymologic Historical Examples of etymologic
The Prussians are by no means a chivalric race, in the etymologic sense.
With the World’s Great Travellers, Volume IV
Various
There are two opposing influences by which all languages are affected—the etymologic and the phonetic.
Various
An odoriferous-enough (etymologic) bouquet could we cull from the names of Flora’s children.
Continental Monthly, Vol. III, No IV, April 1863
Various
Gutschmidt and others deny this etymologic relation of Neith to Athênê.
James Freeman Clarke
British Dictionary definitions for etymologic etymology noun plural -gies
- the study of the sources and development of words and morphemes
- an account of the source and development of a word or morpheme
Derived Formsetymological (ˌɛtɪməˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjectiveetymologically, adverbetymologist, nounWord Origin for etymology C14: via Latin from Greek etumologia; see etymon, -logy Word Origin and History for etymologic etymology n.
late 14c., ethimolegia “facts of the origin and development of a word,” from Old French et(h)imologie (14c., Modern French étymologie), from Latin etymologia, from Greek etymologia, properly “study of the true sense (of a word),” from etymon “true sense” (neuter of etymos “true, real, actual,” related to eteos “true”) + -logia “study of, a speaking of” (see -logy).
In classical times, of meanings; later, of histories. Latinized by Cicero as veriloquium. As a branch of linguistic science, from 1640s. Related: Etymological; etymologically.