Etymology — English definition
Defined in 2 courses:
- The origin and history of a word — where it came from and how its form and meaning shifted over time. (English 11: American Voices, Identity & Public Memory)
- The origin and history of a word — its source language and how its form and meaning have shifted over time. (English 12: Complex Texts, Independent Inquiry & Public Voice)
Where it is taught
- Vocabulary & Word Analysis — Language, Style & Conventions, English 11: American Voices, Identity & Public Memory, Grade 11
- Vocabulary & Etymology — Language, Style & Conventions, English 12: Complex Texts, Independent Inquiry & Public Voice, Grade 12
In use
Words also carry their history as etymology, and that history quietly shapes connotation — the emotional shading a word gives off beyond its literal sense.
Vocabulary & Word Analysis
A dictionary's bare definition is only the start; usage examples, a word's typical collocations (the words it habitually keeps company with), and its etymology together reveal the exact sense.
Vocabulary & Etymology
Questions using etymology
Problem 1
Answer and explanation
Tentative means provisional or uncertain here. The two dates and request for verification show that she has not presented the account as settled. A complete response supplies context, a focused claim, a brief supporting detail, explanation, and a relevant qualification. Do not simply repeat this model.
Use the criteria to compare your reasoning, not to copy the model’s wording. A supported alternative interpretation may earn full credit.
Response criteria
- Make an accurate, focused claim or revision.
- Use a relevant detail or a clearly explained language choice.
- Explain the relationship and recognize a relevant limit.