etymological

Everyday

Etymological means to do with etymology, the history of where words come from and how their meanings and forms have changed. tree →

In the lessons

In English and spelling lessons, an etymological explanation tells you why a word is spelled the way it is, for example the silent b in «doubt» was added because of the Latin word «dubitare». Dictionaries often have an etymological note at the end of an entry. Phrases: «etymological dictionary», «etymological roots», «etymological note».

Examples

• The etymological dictionary shows that «sandwich» comes from a person's name. tree →
• An etymological link connects «tele» in telephone and television. tree →
• Our teacher gave an etymological reason for the silent k in «knight». tree →
• The book has etymological notes for every word. tree →
• Many science words have Greek etymological roots. tree →
• There is no etymological connection between «island» and «isle», even though they look alike. tree →

Note

Adverb: etymologically. Do not confuse with «entomological», which is about insects. Say «et-ih-muh-LOJ-ih-kul».

In Jewish tradition

In English and spelling lessons, an etymological explanation tells you why a word is spelled the way it is, for example the silent b in «doubt» was added because of the Latin word «dubitare». Dictionaries often have an etymological note at the end of an entry. Phrases: «etymological dictionary», «etymological roots», «etymological note».

Examples

• It derives from the root נפ״שׁ NPSh, having to do with breathing, refreshing, and resting; its etymological relationships with curiously similar roots like נשׁ״ם NShM ‘to breathe, pant’, נשׁ״ף NShP ‘to blow’, and נשׁ״ב NShB ‘to blow’ are unclear. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →

Note

Adverb: etymologically. Do not confuse with «entomological», which is about insects. Say «et-ih-muh-LOJ-ih-kul».