Etymon

Pronunciation: /ˈɛtaɪmən/

Etymon (noun)

  1. The original form of a word in an earlier language, from which later words developed.
  2. A historical root or base word that explains how a current word’s form and meaning came to be.

Examples

  • The etymon shows the original form of the word.
  • You can trace the etymon to an earlier spelling.