Etymology Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

etymology

/ˌɛtəˈmɑːləʤi/

noun

Britannica Dictionary definition of ETYMOLOGY

1

[count]

:

an explanation of where a word came from

:

the history of a word

• According to its etymology, the English word “dope” comes from the Dutch word “doop” (which means “sauce”).
• Several different etymologies have been proposed.

2

[noncount]

:

the study of word histories

• an expert in etymology

— etymological

/ˌɛtəˌməˈlɑːʤɪkəl/

adjective

• etymological research
• an etymological dictionary/expert

— etymologically

/ˌɛtəˌməˈlɑːʤɪkli/

adverb

• The words are related etymologically.

— etymologist

/ˌɛtəˈmɑːləʤɪst/

noun,

plural

etymologists

[count]

• a brilliant etymologist