/ ˌetɪˈmɒlədʒi; NAmE -ˈmɑːl-/ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ U ] the study of the origin and history of words and their meanings
2.
[ C ] the origin and history of a particular word
► etymo·logic·al / ˌetɪməˈlɒdʒɪkl; NAmE -ˈlɑːdʒ-/ adjective :
an etymological dictionary
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French ethimologie , via Latin from Greek etumologia , from etumologos student of etymology, from etumon , neuter singular of etumos true.