etymologizing

Noun
  1. (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase (synset 106756849)
    referred to in: diachronic linguistics, diachrony, historical linguistics - the study of linguistic change
    is a type of: account, explanation - a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
    same as: derivation, deriving

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