etymologize

verb

et·​y·​mol·​o·​gize ˌe-tə-ˈmä-lə-ˌjīz How to pronounce etymologize (audio)
etymologized; etymologizing

transitive verb

: to discover, formulate, or state an etymology for

intransitive verb

: to study or formulate etymologies

Word History

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of etymologize was in 1532

Dictionary Entries Near etymologize

Cite this Entry

“Etymologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/etymologize. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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