Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun etymologizing

1 sense of etymologizing

Sense 1
deriving, derivation, etymologizing -- ((historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase)
       => explanation, account -- (a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.; "the explanation was very simple"; "I expected a brief account")

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")