etymology

 
Pronunciation: /ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒi/

noun (plural etymologies)

[mass noun]
  • the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history: the decline of etymology as a linguistic discipline
  • [count noun] the origin of a word and the historical development of its meaning: the etymology of the word ‘devil’

Derivatives

etymological

Pronunciation: /-məˈlɒdʒɪk(ə)l/
adjective

etymologically

Pronunciation: /-məˈlɒdʒɪk(ə)li/
adverb

etymologist

noun

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’.