'Etymology' definitions:

Definition of 'etymology'

From: WordNet
noun
A history of a word
noun
The study of the sources and development of words

Definition of 'Etymology'

From: GCIDE
  • Etymology \Et`y*mol"o*gy\ (-j[y^]), n.; pl. Etymologies (-j[i^]z). [L.etymologia, Gr. 'etymologi`a; 'e`tymon etymon + lo`gos discourse, description: cf. F. ['e]tymologie. See Etymon, and -logy.]
  • 1. That branch of philological science which treats of the history of words, tracing out their origin, primitive significance, and changes of form and meaning. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. That part of grammar which relates to the changes in the form of the words in a language; inflection. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'etymology'

From: Moby Thesaurus