Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
etymology
Noun
/ˌɛt.ɪˈmɒl.ə.dʒi/
Definition
The study of the origin of words and how their meanings have changed throughout history.
Examples
- The etymology of the word ‘computer’ can be traced back to the Latin word ‘computare’.
- Understanding etymology helps in grasping the nuances of language.
Meaning
Etymology explores the history and development of words, often tracing their roots to ancient languages.
Synonyms
- Word origin
- Word history
- Lexical history