What is the etymology of etymology?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the origin and historical development of the term 'etymology'. This involves looking into how the word came into existence, its root components, and any changes in meaning over time.
Answer
The word 'etymology' comes from the Greek words 'etymon' meaning 'true sense' and 'logia' meaning 'study of'.
The final answer is that the word 'etymology' comes from the Greek words 'etymon' meaning 'true sense' and 'logia' meaning 'study of'.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that the word 'etymology' comes from the Greek words 'etymon' meaning 'true sense' and 'logia' meaning 'study of'.
More Information
Etymology is the study of the origin of words and how their meanings have changed over time. The term itself reflects its purpose, being a compound of two Greek roots.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume 'etymology' itself has a complex or recent origin. It has classical roots directly describing its field of study.
Sources
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary - merriam-webster.com
- Oxford English Dictionary - oed.com
