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- An etymology tells us where a word came from (often, but not always, from another language) and what it used to mean. For example, according to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the definition of the word disaster is "an occurrence causing widespread destruction and distress; a catastrophe" or "a grave misfortune."
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What does origin mean?
the derivation of a word. Synonyms: origin, derivation. a chronological account of the birth and development of a particular word or element of a word, often delineating its spread from one language to another and its evolving changes in form and meaning.
- Definition of Etymology
- Examples of Etymology in Literature
- Functions of Etymology
Etymology means to find the roots of a word. It is mostly used as a noun, etymology, with its adjective, etymological. As such as it is not a regular literary device; rather, it is a linguistic term and is mostly concerned with the roots, history, evolution, and usage of the words with their semanticimplications used during different periods of his...
Example # 1
Word Origin and How We Know Them by Anatoly Liberman This passage occurs in the popular book of Anatoly Liberman. It presents the word etymology and states how it works. Although the passage just traces the origin of breakfast, it demonstrates the effectiveness of this term in explaining the meanings of a word.
Example #2
The Oxford Guide to Etymology by Philip Durkin This passage explains the full detail of etymology. It tells that this term is mostly used in historical linguistics and that it explains how language changes over time. The passage also presents different aspects of this study and explains how meanings of a word are unearthed through different investigations. In other words, this passage proves that etymology is not just a term, but a full study.
Example #3
Etymology by Yakov Malkiel Yakov Malkiel has beautifully shed light on the use of etymology and how it shows its transformations. He is of the view that different people have used etymology for different purposes that suit their interests., and adds that it originally means to do “approximating paraphrasing” that is close to the original meanings. He also sheds light on its core adding that it helps in formulating magic or mystic overtones.
Despite its limited function in literary texts, etymology helps the readers a great deal in understanding the true meanings of different words. Readers apply different etymological strategies to reach the message that authors convey in their literary pieces. Interestingly, no writer consciously employs etymology as its constant application not only...
ETYMOLOGY meaning: 1. the study of the origin and history of words, or a study of this type relating to one particular…. Learn more.
the origin and history of a word or words, or the study of word origins. (Definition of etymology from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Examples of etymology. etymology.
Jul 3, 2019 · The etymology of a word refers to its origin and historical development: that is, its earliest known use, its transmission from one language to another, and its changes in form and meaning. Etymology is also the term for the branch of linguistics that studies word histories. What's the Difference Between a Definition and an Etymology?
- Richard Nordquist
Apr 19, 2024 · Epistemology, the philosophical study of the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge. The term is derived from the Greek episteme (“knowledge”) and logos (“reason”). Along with metaphysics, logic, and ethics, it is one of the four main branches of philosophy.
used to describe the particular way in which something started to exist or someone started their life: The story has obscure origins (= no one knows how it started). See more. C1 [ U ] where a person was born: He is of North African origin. What is your country of origin? B2 [ U ] where an object was made: The furniture was French in origin.
