Journal created:
on 28 January 2001 (#48743)
Updated:
on 1 April 2010
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What is Etymology?
The word etymology is derived from the Greek etumos which means real or true. The ending ology suggests the study/science of , as in biology or geology. And that is the etymology of etymology. It is the study of the origins of words; how they evolved. Confused?
Here is another example. The Ancient Greek word hippos means horse, and potamus means river. Hence hippopotamus literally means river horse.
A few other word-parts derived from Ancient Greek are tele (long distance), micro (small), phone (speak), and scope (look). From these come such words as telephone, telescope, microphone, and microscope.
Have a flare for this or simply an interest in the study of words, their meaning and history? Please join us.
The word etymology is derived from the Greek etumos which means real or true. The ending ology suggests the study/science of , as in biology or geology. And that is the etymology of etymology. It is the study of the origins of words; how they evolved. Confused?
Here is another example. The Ancient Greek word hippos means horse, and potamus means river. Hence hippopotamus literally means river horse.
A few other word-parts derived from Ancient Greek are tele (long distance), micro (small), phone (speak), and scope (look). From these come such words as telephone, telescope, microphone, and microscope.
Have a flare for this or simply an interest in the study of words, their meaning and history? Please join us.