diachrony

noun

di·ach·ro·ny | \ dī-ˈa-krə-nē

How to pronounce diachrony (audio)

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Definition of diachrony

1 : diachronic analysis

2 : change extending through time

History and Etymology for diachrony

borrowed from French diachronie, from dia- dia- + Greek chrónos "time, duration" (of obscure origin) + French -ie -y entry 2

Note: Term introduced, along with the adjective diachronique, by Ferdinand de saussure in the posthumously published Cours de linguistigue générale (Lausanne/Paris, 1916), compiled from lecture notes by his students. See also synchronic, synchrony.

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Cite this Entry

“Diachrony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diachrony. Accessed 28 Jul. 2021.

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