"Etymology" means "the study of the origin of words."
Meaning:
Synonymic etymology is the study of the origins of words that are synonyms. It investigates the historical development of synonyms and the reasons why different words come to have the same meaning.
Origin:
The term "synonymic etymology" was first coined by the German linguist August Schleicher in the 19th century. He used it to describe the study of the semantic relationship between synonyms, focusing on their historical origins.
Purpose:
Synonymic etymology has several purposes:
Understand semantic shifts: It helps identify how the meanings of similar words have changed over time.
Trace linguistic relationships: By examining the etymology of synonyms, researchers can trace the evolution of languages and the influence of different cultures.
Enhance vocabulary: Understanding the origin and historical usage of synonyms can enrich vocabulary and provide a deeper understanding of language.
Identify cultural and historical influences: Synonymic etymology can shed light on cultural and historical factors that have shaped the development of language.
Examples:
"Big" and "huge" both mean "large." However, "big" is derived from Old Norse and originally meant "to swell" or "grow quickly," while "huge" is derived from Old French and originally meant "to shout" or "roar."
"Beautiful" and "pretty" are synonyms for "attractive." "Beautiful" comes from Old French and is rooted in the Latin word "bellus," meaning "agreeable to the eye," while "pretty" originates from Middle English and is related to the word "pray."
"Hate" and "detest" both convey strong dislike. "Hate" is derived from Old English and originally meant "to curse" or "to be hostile," while "detest" comes from Latin and originally meant "to bear ill-will" or "to regard as unpleasant."
