Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Etymology
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
The Greek philosopher Plato
Quizzes
Two chicks near an egg with a white background (poultry, chick, chickens, birds).
Which Came First? Vocabulary Quiz Vol. 2
A gold foil number 12 balloon is held high in the air by male hands; photo taken outdoors on a bright sunny day, the sky is blue with some clouds. A vintage style effects has been added to the image.
12-Letter Words Quiz
Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) tilts its head outside its burrow on Marco Island, Florida. (birds)
Curious Origins of Everyday Words Quiz
This Mercator map of the world is attributed to Edward Wright, an English mathematician who first computed navigation tables to be used with the Mercator projection. It was published in 1599. The compass roses and crisscrossing lines are in the style oft
Word Meanings and Origins
Illustration of silhouettes climbing and sitting on stacks of books. Reading. Education.
Word Play
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
The Greek philosopher Plato
The Greek philosopher Plato Plato, marble portrait bust copied from an original of the 4th century bce; in the Capitoline Museums, Rome.

Etymology

linguistics
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
•History

Etymology, the history of a word or word element, including its origins and derivation. Although the etymologizing of proper names appears in the Old Testament and Plato dealt with etymology in his dialogue Cratylus, lack of knowledge of other languages and of the historical developments that languages undergo prevented ancient writers from arriving at the proper etymologies of words. Modern scientific etymological study is based on the methods and findings of historical and comparative linguistics,...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile