the process in which a word is changed to become more like a more familiar word
Etymology
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That branch of philological science which treats of the
history of words, tracing out their origin, primitive significance, and
changes of form and meaning.
Etymology meaning & definition 1 of Etymology.
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I am surprised that this word is not here yet....now it is.
[Etymology] is the study of the [origins of words]. Some words have been derived from other languages, possibly in a changed form (the source words are called etymons). Through old texts and comparisons with other languages, etymologists try to reconstruct the history of words — when they entered a language, from what source, and how their form and meaning changed.
A word often misused and mispronounced entymology which is the study of [insects]!Etymology meaning & definition 2 of Etymology.
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The study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history.
Etymology meaning & definition 3 of Etymology.