| etymologize | (v) give the etymology or derivation or suggest an etymology (for a word), Syn. etymologise, Example: The linguist probably etymologized the words incorrectly; Although he is not trained in this, his hobby is etymologizing |
| etymologize | (v) construct the history of words, Syn. etymologise |
| deriving | (n) (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase, Syn. etymologizing, derivation |
| Etymologize | v. t. [ Cf. F. étymologiser. ] To give the etymology of; to trace to the root or primitive, as a word. Camden [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Etymologize | v. t. To search into the origin of words; to deduce words from their simple roots. [ 1913 Webster ] How perilous it is to etymologize at random. Trench. [ 1913 Webster ] |