Etymology
noun
The study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history.
In his course, the professor covered the etymology of words from Old English.
Often appears as...
- study the etymology
- etymology of a word
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The origin and historical development of a linguistic form as shown by determining its basic elements, earliest known use and changes in form and meaning.
The etymology of this term dates back to the 16th century.
Often appears as...
- etymology of the term
- research the etymology
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history.
In his course, the professor covered the etymology of words from Old English.
Often appears as...
- study the etymology
- etymology of a word
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The origin and historical development of a linguistic form as shown by determining its basic elements, earliest known use and changes in form and meaning.
The etymology of this term dates back to the 16th century.
Often appears as...
- etymology of the term
- research the etymology
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Connection
Understand how words relate to historical events and social changes over time.
Exploring the etymology of 'cyberspace' shows its science fiction origins.
Pro Tip 2/3Language Evolution
Learn how the meanings of words can shift dramatically with cultural and societal evolution.
The etymology of 'awful' reveals it once meant 'inspiring wonder' instead of 'very bad'.
Pro Tip 3/3Word Birth
Discover the roots of new words and how they enter a language.
The etymology of 'selfie' shows it emerged from social media culture.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Connection
Understand how words relate to historical events and social changes over time.
Exploring the etymology of 'cyberspace' shows its science fiction origins.
Pro Tip 2/3Language Evolution
Learn how the meanings of words can shift dramatically with cultural and societal evolution.
The etymology of 'awful' reveals it once meant 'inspiring wonder' instead of 'very bad'.
Pro Tip 3/3Word Birth
Discover the roots of new words and how they enter a language.
The etymology of 'selfie' shows it emerged from social media culture.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Connection
Understand how words relate to historical events and social changes over time.
Exploring the etymology of 'cyberspace' shows its science fiction origins.
Pro Tip 2/3Language Evolution
Learn how the meanings of words can shift dramatically with cultural and societal evolution.
The etymology of 'awful' reveals it once meant 'inspiring wonder' instead of 'very bad'.
Pro Tip 3/3Word Birth
Discover the roots of new words and how they enter a language.
The etymology of 'selfie' shows it emerged from social media culture.
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Video examples
Sky Caves of Nepal, Part...
means sanctuary and supposedly there are almost these parallel universe that abide in certain places that if one's reached a level of self-actualization one can slip inside of them but without achieving that level would never even know that they exist so this is really the etymology of the
Video examples
How much does a video...
this five-minute video about what color a mirror is. And in that episode, I answer the question and I get a chance to explain what would normally be kind of dry optics, diffuse versus specular reflection, how light works, how light works on the retina, and even the etymology of color terms
Video examples
Why Bittersweet Emotions...
and the world that they longed to be in and therefore to create. And so whether you're talking about a violin piece or a rocket to Mars, there's really no difference between those two things. Like, the word longing itself, the etymology of it literally means to reach for, you know,
Video examples
Why you should love...
that I programmed. So what inspired that change in me? What made me think that statistics was actually an interesting thing? It's really because statistics are about us. If you look at the etymology of the word statistics, it's the science of dealing with data
Video examples
Lizzo: The Black history...
I kind of think I'm an expert on the subject. I want to add to the classical etymology of this dance because it matters. Black people will not be erased from the creation, the history and the innovation of twerking. Thank you.
Video examples
Mysteries of vernacular:...
typically molded into sticks. Dynamite, which coincidentally is closely related to the word dynasty, has as much to do with familial persuasion as it does etymology. Following in the footsteps of his inventor father,
Video examples
Mysteries of vernacular:...
For every locked chest, there is both a key and a lock pick, and the history of keister draws us into this world of petty crime and speculative etymology. Keister may have come from the British dialect kist,
Video examples
Mysteries of vernacular:...
and phagein, a verb meaning to eat. From flesh-eating stone to stone coffin, it's a fitting etymology for the final resting place of the deceased.
Video examples
Sherwin Nuland: A...
Every disadvantaged nation, and perhaps our own nation, becomes our patient. So, it's fun to think about the etymology of the word "patient."
Video examples
Mysteries of vernacular:...
mr. is a vernacular noise any sound or combination of sounds to understand the etymology of noise we must begin with
Video examples
Sky Caves of Nepal, Part...
means sanctuary and supposedly there are almost these parallel universe that abide in certain places that if one's reached a level of self-actualization one can slip inside of them but without achieving that level would never even know that they exist so this is really the etymology of the
Video examples
How much does a video...
this five-minute video about what color a mirror is. And in that episode, I answer the question and I get a chance to explain what would normally be kind of dry optics, diffuse versus specular reflection, how light works, how light works on the retina, and even the etymology of color terms
Video examples
Why Bittersweet Emotions...
and the world that they longed to be in and therefore to create. And so whether you're talking about a violin piece or a rocket to Mars, there's really no difference between those two things. Like, the word longing itself, the etymology of it literally means to reach for, you know,
Video examples
Why you should love...
that I programmed. So what inspired that change in me? What made me think that statistics was actually an interesting thing? It's really because statistics are about us. If you look at the etymology of the word statistics, it's the science of dealing with data
Video examples
Lizzo: The Black history...
I kind of think I'm an expert on the subject. I want to add to the classical etymology of this dance because it matters. Black people will not be erased from the creation, the history and the innovation of twerking. Thank you.
Video examples
Mysteries of vernacular:...
typically molded into sticks. Dynamite, which coincidentally is closely related to the word dynasty, has as much to do with familial persuasion as it does etymology. Following in the footsteps of his inventor father,
Video examples
Mysteries of vernacular:...
For every locked chest, there is both a key and a lock pick, and the history of keister draws us into this world of petty crime and speculative etymology. Keister may have come from the British dialect kist,
Video examples
Mysteries of vernacular:...
and phagein, a verb meaning to eat. From flesh-eating stone to stone coffin, it's a fitting etymology for the final resting place of the deceased.
Video examples
Sherwin Nuland: A...
Every disadvantaged nation, and perhaps our own nation, becomes our patient. So, it's fun to think about the etymology of the word "patient."
Video examples
Mysteries of vernacular:...
mr. is a vernacular noise any sound or combination of sounds to understand the etymology of noise we must begin with
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Robyn Davidson
Australian Writer
The French word for wanderlust or wandering is 'errance.' The etymology is the same as 'error.' So to wander is to make mistakes. In other words, to make mistakes, to make errors is sort of the idea of learning through trial and error, allowing the mistakes to be part of the process.
Quote examples
Hill Harper
American Actor
The word 'courage,' one of my favorite words, the root or the etymology of that word is 'cour,' which means heart. I think true courage is actually following your heart and not getting or succumbing to what other people's definition of what your life should be. Live your life.
Quote examples
Molly Ivins
American Journalist
Legislative language is governed by a law of etymology that is also the ancient code of the bureaucracy: It doesn't have to be right, it just has to be close enough for government work. If they understand what you mean, it doesn't matter what you say or how you say it.
Quote examples
Michael Chabon
American Author
I have a good memory for words, and when I come upon a word I don't know, I remember it, or try to - it's almost like a tic. I also just have a good feeling for how words are made and formed in English and the etymologies that give you prefixes and suffixes.
Quote examples
Giambattista Vico
Italian Philosopher
The universal principle of etymology in all languages: words are carried over from bodies and from the properties of bodies to express the things of the mind and spirit. The order of ideas must follow the order of things.
Quote examples
Joshua Cohen
American Writer
Religion,' I should note, has a disputed etymology in Latin: some say it's from 'relegere,' meaning 'to reread', while others say it's from religare, meaning 'to connect' or 'link.' Literature is life's fastener.
Quote examples
MF Doom
English Musician
Ever since third grade, I had a notebook and was putting together words just for fun. I liked different etymologies, different slang that came out in different eras. Different languages. Different dialects.
Quote examples
Salman Rushdie
Indian Novelist
Names, once they are in common use, quickly become mere sounds, their etymology being buried, like so many of the earth's marvels, beneath the dust of habit.
Quote examples
Robyn Davidson
Australian Writer
The French word for wanderlust or wandering is 'errance.' The etymology is the same as 'error.' So to wander is to make mistakes. In other words, to make mistakes, to make errors is sort of the idea of learning through trial and error, allowing the mistakes to be part of the process.
Quote examples
Hill Harper
American Actor
The word 'courage,' one of my favorite words, the root or the etymology of that word is 'cour,' which means heart. I think true courage is actually following your heart and not getting or succumbing to what other people's definition of what your life should be. Live your life.
Quote examples
Molly Ivins
American Journalist
Legislative language is governed by a law of etymology that is also the ancient code of the bureaucracy: It doesn't have to be right, it just has to be close enough for government work. If they understand what you mean, it doesn't matter what you say or how you say it.
Quote examples
Michael Chabon
American Author
I have a good memory for words, and when I come upon a word I don't know, I remember it, or try to - it's almost like a tic. I also just have a good feeling for how words are made and formed in English and the etymologies that give you prefixes and suffixes.
Quote examples
Giambattista Vico
Italian Philosopher
The universal principle of etymology in all languages: words are carried over from bodies and from the properties of bodies to express the things of the mind and spirit. The order of ideas must follow the order of things.
Quote examples
Joshua Cohen
American Writer
Religion,' I should note, has a disputed etymology in Latin: some say it's from 'relegere,' meaning 'to reread', while others say it's from religare, meaning 'to connect' or 'link.' Literature is life's fastener.
Quote examples
MF Doom
English Musician
Ever since third grade, I had a notebook and was putting together words just for fun. I liked different etymologies, different slang that came out in different eras. Different languages. Different dialects.
Quote examples
Salman Rushdie
Indian Novelist
Names, once they are in common use, quickly become mere sounds, their etymology being buried, like so many of the earth's marvels, beneath the dust of habit.
Example 1 of 8
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