noun
- plural of etymology; the origin and history of a word, including its original meaning and how its form and meaning have changed over time
- accounts or explanations of the origins of words
Usage: countable noun; typically used in academic or linguistic contexts
Usage: often used in reference to collections or studies of word origins
Examples
- The etymologies of many English words reveal their Latin and Greek roots.
- She consulted a dictionary of etymologies to understand the origin of the word 'serendipity'.
- Medieval scholars often debated the etymologies of biblical names.
- The book explores the etymologies of common English words used in science.
- Understanding etymologies can help you remember how to spell difficult words.
- Linguists study etymologies to trace language families and historical connections.