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Definition of etymology noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

etymology

noun
 
/ˌetɪˈmɒlədʒi/
 
/ˌetɪˈmɑːlədʒi/
(plural etymologies)
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  1. [uncountable] the study of the origin and history of words and their meaningsTopics Historyc2, Languagec2
  2. [countable] the origin and history of a particular wordTopics Historyc2, Languagec2
    3. Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French ethimologie, via Latin from Greek etumologia, from etumologos ‘student of etymology’, from etumon, neuter singular of etumos ‘true’.
see also folk etymologySee etymology in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: etymology

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