etymologizing Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase
    deriving; derivation.
  2. verb give the etymology or derivation or suggest an etymology (for a word)
    etymologise; etymologize.
    • The linguist probably etymologized the words incorrectly
    • Although he is not trained in this, his hobby is etymologizing
  3. verb construct the history of words
    etymologise; etymologize.

WordNet