etymology
Pronunciation: /ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒi/
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[ mass noun]
Definition of etymology
noun ( plural etymologies)
Derivatives
- noun
Pronunciation: /-məˈlɒdʒɪk(ə)l/
adjective
Pronunciation: /-məˈlɒdʒɪk(ə)li/
adverb
Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French ethimologie, via Latin from Greek etumologia, from etumologos 'student of etymology', from etumon, neuter singular of etumos 'true'
Grammar
The study of the history of words, or the history of a particular word. Dictionaries often provide information about the etymology of words. For example:ramekin > noun a small dish for baking and serving an individual portion of food. - origin mid 17th cent.: from French ramequin, of Low German or Dutch origin; compare with obsolete Flemish rameken ‘toasted bread’.