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1. Dictionary

   Word

   /wərd/

   

   noun

   • 1. a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed: "I don't like the word “unofficial”" Similar termnameexpressiondesignationlocutionturn of phraseidiomformal:appellationrare:vocable
   • ▪ a single distinct conceptual unit of language, comprising inflected and variant forms.
   • ▪ something spoken or written; a remark or statement: "his grandfather's words had been meant kindly" Similar remarkcommentstatementutteranceobservationpronouncementdeclaration
   • ▪ even the smallest amount of something spoken or written: "don't believe a word of it"
   • ▪ angry talk: "her father would have had words with her about that"
   • ▪ speech as distinct from action: "he conforms in word and deed to the values of a society that he rejects"
   • 2. a command, password, or signal: "someone gave me the word to start playing" Similar instructionordercommandsignalpromptcuetip-offinformal:go-aheadthumbs upgreen lighthigh signcommandorderdecreeedictmandatebiddingwill
   • ▪ communication; news: "I was afraid to leave Edinburgh in case there was word from the War Office" Similar newsinformationcommunicationintelligencenoticemessagereportcommuniquédispatchbulletinaccountdatafactsinformal:infothe lowdownthe genthe dopethe poopliterary:tidingsarchaic:advicesrumorhearsaytalkgossipinformal:the grapevinethe word on the streetthe scuttlebutt
   • 3. one's account of the truth, especially when it differs from that of another person: "in court it would have been his word against mine"
   • ▪ a promise or assurance: "everything will be taken care of—you have my word" Similar promiseword of honorassuranceguaranteeundertakingpledgevowoathbondarchaic:trothparole
   • 4. the text or spoken part of a play, opera, or other performed piece; a script: "he had to learn his words" Similar scripttextlyricslibretto
   • 5. a basic unit of data in a computer, typically 16 or 32 bits long.

   verb

   • 1. choose and use particular words in order to say or write (something): "he words his request in a particularly ironic way"

   exclamation

   • 1. used to express agreement: informal "“That Jay is one dangerous character.” “Word.”"

   Word Origin Old English, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch woord and German Wort, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin verbum ‘word’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. wordage noun

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • W

     4

   • O

     1

   • R

     1

   • D

     2

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2. www.etymonline.comEtymonline - Online Etymology Dictionary

   www.etymonline.com

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   Learn the origin and history of English words, phrases, and idioms from various sources and dates. Explore articles on linguistics, etymology, and slang by the editor and assistant editor of Etymonline.

   • Word Origin Stories

     Etymology is the study of the origin of words and how the...

   • Snakes of Iceland

     The famous literary anecdote of the book chapter anyone can...

   • Form

     late 14c., name for the god of dreams in Ovid, son of Sleep,...

     Français (French)

     · Form 뜻

     · Deform

     · Formative

     · Formalism

     · Format

   • Search and Research

     Inside the etymonline staff lounge. This is the fun part, if...

   • Homing in on Harlequin

     Similar sounding words it does include are arlásso, meaning...

   • Mandrake Roots

     Both disciplines dig to learn, but etymology is the platonic...

   • Sources

     Palmer, the Rev. Abram Smythe, Folk-Etymology, London,...

   • The Paragraph

     The Greeks knew their words had changed sound and sense over...

   • Hagiolatry

     "worship of saints," 1798, from hagio- + -latry "worship...

   • QUEAN

     English is one of the few Indo-European languages to have a...

3. en.wikipedia.org › wiki › EtymologyEtymology - Wikipedia

   en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Etymology

   • Cached

   Etymology ( / ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒi /, ET-im-OL-ə-jee [1]) is the scientific study of the origin and evolution of a word's semantic meaning across time, including its constituent morphemes and phonemes. [2] [3] It is a subfield of historical linguistics, philology, and semiotics, and draws upon comparative semantics, morphology, pragmatics, and ...

4. www.britannica.com › topic › etymologyEtymology | Word Origins, Language History, Semantics

   www.britannica.com › topic › etymology

   • Cached

   Learn about the history and methods of etymology, the study of word origins and meanings. Explore the contributions of ancient and modern linguists, such as Georg Curtius, to the field of etymology.

   • Author: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

5. www.thoughtco.com › etymology-word-stories-1692654The Etymology of Words and Their Histories - ThoughtCo

   www.thoughtco.com › etymology-word-stories-1692654

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   Jul 3, 2019 · Learn how words originate, change, and develop over time and across languages. Explore the etymology of words from different sources, such as borrowing, clipping, compounding, blending, and more.

   • Author: Richard Nordquist

6. Videos

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7. www.oxfordreference.com › abstract › 10Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins - Oxford Reference

   www.oxfordreference.com › abstract › 10

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   23 hours ago · Learn the origins and development of over 3,000 words and phrases in the English language from a trusted source. Explore the fascinating stories behind many of our most curious terms and expressions, from 'handsome' to 'torpedo', and more.

8. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › etymologyEtymology Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › etymology

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   Learn the origin and history of words from the Greek word etymon, meaning \"true meaning of a word.\" Find examples, related phrases, articles, and podcasts on etymology and its branches.

9. People also ask

   What does etymology mean?

   • Etymology ( / ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒi /, ET-im-OL-ə-jee ) is the scientific study of the origin and evolution of a word's semantic meaning across time, including its constituent morphemes and phonemes.

   Etymology - Wikipedia

   en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymology

   See all results for this question

   What is the Oxford Dictionary of word origins?

   • Combining both accessibility and authority, The Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins describes the origins and development of over 3,000 words and phrases in the English language.

   Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins - Oxford Reference

   www.oxfordreference.com/abstract/10.1093/acref/9780199547920.001.0001/acref-9780199547920

   See all results for this question

   When did etymology start?

   • One of the earliest philosophical texts of the Classical Greek period to address etymology was the Socratic dialogue Cratylus ( c. 360 BCE) by Plato. During much of the dialogue, Socrates makes guesses as to the origins of many words, including the names of the gods. In his Odes Pindar spins complimentary etymologies to flatter his patrons.

   Etymology - Wikipedia

   en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymology

   See all results for this question

   How do etymologists study the origins of words?

   • Etymologists apply a number of methods to study the origins of words, some of which are: Philological research. Changes in the form and meaning of the word can be traced with the aid of older texts, if such are available. Making use of dialectological data.

   Etymology - Wikipedia

   en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymology

   See all results for this question

10. www.oxfordreference.com › abstract › 10The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology

    www.oxfordreference.com › abstract › 10

    • Cached

    23 hours ago · A comprehensive online resource for the origin and development of English words, based on The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. Search by alphabetical order or browse entries from A to Z.