Definition of "etymology" in English

noun

1. (uncountable, linguistics) The scientific study of the origin and evolution of a word's semantic meaning across time, including its constituent morphemes and phonemes.

   • Holonyms: historical linguistics < linguistics

2. (countable) The entire catalogue of meanings that a word, morpheme, or sign has carried throughout its history.

   • Although written the same, the words lead (the metal) and lead (the verb) have totally different etymologies.

3. (countable) An account of the origin and historical development of a word as presented in a dictionary or the like.

4. (countable) The direct origin of a name, as in who someone was named after.