What is the word for origins of words?

Etymology is the study of the origins of words. The English language is living and growing. Although many of our words have been part of our language for many years, new words are added all the time.

What is the origin of the word was?

Etymology 1 From Old English wæs (first/third person singular indicative past of wesan), from Proto-Germanic *was (first/third person singular indicative past of *wesaną).

What does the root VOC mean?

“call
The Latin root word voc and its variant vok both mean “call.” These roots are the word origins of a fair number of English vocabulary words, including vocal, vocabulary, invoke, and provoke. The roots voc and vok are easily recalled through the words vocal, of “calling,” and revoke, to “call” back.

What did the word originally mean?

Definition of originally 1 archaic : by origin or derivation : inherently. 2 : in the beginning : in the first place : initially. 3 : in a fresh or original manner.

What language are most English words derived from?

About 80 percent of the entries in any English dictionary are borrowed, mainly from Latin. Over 60 percent of all English words have Greek or Latin roots.

What does Dec mean in Latin?

ten
-dec-, root. -dec- comes from Latin and Greek, where it has the meaning “ten. ” This meaning is found in such words as: decade, Decalogue, decathlon, decennial, decimal, decimate.

What does I am originally from mean?

When “originally” is added, it changes the meaning. For example, I lived in New Jersey until age 17, then lived in Boston 32 years, then moved to California. If people ask where I come from, I say “I am from Boston”. Sometimes I add “but I am originally from New Jersey”. L.

What does Where are you from originally mean?

For instance, when asked “Where are you from?”, they would answer “I’m from La Plata (= a city in Buenos Aires), whereas when asked “Where are you from originally?”, they would answer “I’m from Buenos Aires”.