word origin

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.

Its “suggested” etymology or word origin is Latin serpens meaning “a snake” and French sortir meaning “come out of, to leave.”

From New York Times • May 17, 2010

"Nowadays," writes Hogben, "neither school nor college courses within the English-speaking part of the world do much to divulge the many clues to word origin which we can get from spelling."

From Time Magazine Archive

Of the effect it is understood that in reality it is non-different from the cause, i.e. has no existence apart from the cause.—How so?—'On account of the scriptural word "origin" and others.'

From The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya Sacred Books of the East, Volume 1 by Thibaut, George