etymology
UK/.eti'mɔlәdʒi/US
GREC2
Definitions
n.
The study of the origin and history of words
词源学
n.
The origin and historical development of a particular word
（某词的）词源
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedetymo (Greek etumon = the true sense of a word) + logy (study) = the study of a word's 'true,' original meaning — tracing where words come from. This very entry is etymology in action.
Root log still carries 50 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.the etymology of……的词源
- 2.folk etymology民间词源
- 3.trace the etymology追溯词源
Example Sentences
- 1.
The etymology of 'salary' traces back to Roman salt rations.
- 2.
She loves looking up the etymology of strange words.