etymologist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The word came into English as “empechen” by way of the Old French word empechier, meaning to prevent or to hinder, according to the British etymologist Michael Quinion.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 18, 2019

As it happens, far from a crusty don, Forsyth isn’t much over 40, according to his bio, and is best known in Britain as a witty etymologist.

From New York Times • May 30, 2018

Others, such as etymologist and author Michael Quinion, have found references dating back to 1903.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 31, 2015

It’s often impossible to definitively determine a phrase’s linguistic birthplace, but based on the digging of etymologist Barry Popik, the phrase seems to have originated in the graffiti community of Oakland, California.

From Slate

The doom of the etymologist, so often duped by affinity of sounds, seems to have been that of our judicious Camden.

From Amenities of Literature Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature by Disraeli, Isaac