Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb etymologize

2 senses of etymologize

Sense 1
etymologize, etymologise -- (give the etymology or derivation or suggest an etymology (for a word); "The linguist probably etymologized the words incorrectly"; "Although he is not trained in this, his hobby is etymologizing")
       => derive, educe -- (develop or evolve from a latent or potential state)

Sense 2
etymologize, etymologise -- (construct the history of words)
       => reconstruct, construct, retrace -- (reassemble mentally; "reconstruct the events of 20 years ago")