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etymology

et·y·mol·o·gy

etymology

 
pronunciation:
e t ma lih ji
features:
Word Parts
part of speech: noun
inflections: etymologies
definition: an account of the roots and history of a word and its meanings.
derivations: etymological (adj.), etymologically (adv.), etymologist (n.)
Word Parts  About this feature
The word etymology contains the following part:
-logy, -ology Greek noun-forming suffix that means study of, science of; written work; structure or principle
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The suffix -logy , -ology forms nouns from bases that are predominantly Greek roots. It is a terminal form of the root log, logo, -logue which in the vast majority cases signifies the study or science of the subject indicated by the base. In some words, however, -ology carries the meaning "written work" (trilogy) or "structure" (homology). See log, logo, -logue. Most nouns ending in -logy , -ology have an adjective form ending in "-ical." (dermatology, dermatological).
synonyms:
-ics