Background for etymology
BeDict Logo

etymology

/ˌɛt.ɪˈmɒl.ə.dʒi/ /ˌɛt.ɪˈmɑl.ə.dʒi/

Meanings
noun
The study of the historical development of languages, particularly as manifested in individual words.

Examples :

"Understanding the etymology of the word "sandwich"—tracing its origin back to the Earl of Sandwich—helps us understand why we use that name for a bread-filled meal. "
language linguistics history word education

Related Words

Illustration presented

presented verb

/pɹɪˈzɛntɪd/

To bring (someone) into the presence of (a person); to introduce formally.

"to present an envoy to the king"

Illustration particularly

particularly adverb

/pəˈtɪkjəli/ /pəˈtɪkjəlɚli/

(focus) Especially, extremely.

"The apéritifs were particularly stimulating."

Illustration individual

individual noun

/ˌɘndɘˈvɘd͡ʒɘl/ /ˌɪndəˈ-/

A person considered alone, rather than as belonging to a group of people.

"He is an unusual individual."

Illustration dictionary

dictionary noun

/ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛɹi/ /ˈdɪkʃ(ə)n(ə)ɹi/

A reference work with a list of words from one or more languages, normally ordered alphabetically, explaining each word's meaning, and sometimes containing information on its etymology, pronunciation, usage, translations, and other data.

"To understand the word "optimistic," I looked it up in the dictionary. "

Illustration understand

understand verb

/ˌɞndəɹˈstand/ /(ˌ)ʌndəˈstænd/ /ˌʌndɚˈstænd/

To grasp a concept fully and thoroughly, especially (of words, statements, art, etc.) to be aware of the meaning of and (of people) to be aware of the intent of.

"My teacher explained the new math concept, and I understood it perfectly. "

Illustration development

development noun

/dɪˈvɛləpmənt/

The process of developing; growth, directed change.

"The development of this story has been slow."

Illustration telephone

telephone noun

/ˈtɛləfəʊn/ /ˈtɛləfoʊn/

A telecommunication device (originally mechanical, and now electronic) used for two-way talking with another person (now often shortened to phone).

"My grandmother uses the telephone to talk to her friends every week. "

Illustration historical

historical noun

/hɪˈstɒɹɪkəl/ /hɪˈstɔːɹɪkəl/

A historical romance.

"The historical romance novel was a bestseller in the bookstore. "

Illustration languages

languages noun

/ˈlæŋɡwɪd͡ʒɪz/

A body of words, and set of methods of combining them (called a grammar), understood by a community and used as a form of communication.

"Deaf and mute people communicate using languages like ASL."

Illustration derivation

derivation noun

/ˌdɛ.ɹɪˈveɪ.ʃ(ə)n/

A leading or drawing off of water from a stream or source.

"The local farm relied on the river's derivation to irrigate their crops during the dry season. "

Illustration understanding

understanding verb

/ʌndəˈstandɪŋ/ /ˌʌndəɹˈstændɪŋ/

To grasp a concept fully and thoroughly, especially (of words, statements, art, etc.) to be aware of the meaning of and (of people) to be aware of the intent of.

"The teacher patiently explained the math problem, and the students were able to understand the steps involved. "

Illustration manifested

manifested verb

/ˈmænɪfɛstɪd/

To show plainly; to make to appear distinctly, usually to the mind; to put beyond question or doubt; to display; to exhibit.

"His courage manifested itself through the look on his face."