15+ Etymology Books for Free! [PDF]

A journey through the history of a language and its words is highly recommended, because it allows us to increase our cultural repertoire and make better use of a particular language that interests us, in addition to our mother tongue. Therefore, we wanted to select etymology books in PDF format with which our community can study and research on this important topic.

Sometimes, the simple fact of understanding how a word is formed helps us to have a better spelling and grammar, to contextualize it better and to create higher quality texts. In this sense, our etymology books seek, in addition to a historical approach, a practical one that allows our readers to improve in this aspect.

Etymology is the branch of linguistics and philology that studies the origin, evolution and history of a word, its form and meaning (where the latter applies). Etymology scholars can carry out long and exhaustive research on the vocabulary of a language, even before the appearance of writing. This allows them to provide certainty about the origin of language as a social phenomenon.

In this discipline, the morphology and semantics of words are also relevant, provided that there have been important changes in both linguistic aspects. That is, there are words that change in form and/or meaning over time and it is interesting to see the direction they have taken in that period.

Knowing the languages from their etymology not only gives us access to know the linguistic system itself, but also to unravel important aspects of a community. Knowledge of the language allows us, therefore, to obtain important information about the people and their customs.

Access quality content with this collection of more than 15 etymology books in PDF format, which you can download right now to any of your electronic devices for free.

Here we present our complete selection of Etymology books:

#1 Etymology and Magic

Extension: PDF | 39 pages

Etymology and Magic by Johannes Bronkhorst explores semantic etymologies across cultures, analyzing texts like Yāska's Nirukta and Plato's Cratylus. The PDF provides insight into historical and cultural perspectives on language, offering valuable resources for understanding semantic etymologies.

#2 Semantic Etymology Bharatha Patrika

Extension: PDF | 16 pages

Semantic Etymology Bharatha Patrika por Dr V N Bhattathiri explores semantic etymology as an innovative approach to historical linguistics, contrasting it with traditional historical etymology. It delves into the complexities of word meaning, particularly in Sanskrit, inviting readers to reconsider conventional etymological methods.

#3 Phonosymbolism or Etymology the Case of the Verb Cop

Extension: PDF | 31 pages

Phonosymbolism or Etymology the Case of the Verb Cop por Victor H Mair delves into the origins of the verb "cop," examining phonosymbolic theories versus etymological analysis. This paper is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the complexities of language evolution and word origins.

#4 The Eastern Origin of English Words

Extension: PDF | 18 pages

The Eastern Origin of English Words by Omer Sekerci explores the influence of Arabic, Turkish, and Persian on English vocabulary. It reveals surprising etymological connections, enriching our understanding of language evolution.

#5 The vocabulary of English: history

Extension: PDF | 16 pages

The vocabulary of English: history por University Duisburg Essen provides a concise overview of the historical influences on the English language, focusing on loanwords from Latin, Scandinavian, and French. This document is essential for understanding the etymological roots of modern English vocabulary.

#6 Word Roots in English Learning English Words Through Form and Meaning Similarity

Extension: PDF | 300 pages

Word Roots in English Learning English Words Through Form and Meaning Similarity por Wei Zheng explores vocabulary acquisition through the analysis of word roots and their impact on understanding English words. Discover the potential of word roots in expanding your vocabulary.

#7 List of Greek and Latin roots in English

Extension: PDF | 38 pages

List of Greek and Latin roots in English por Oakton Community College offers a comprehensive list of Greek and Latin roots. This document is a valuable resource for understanding the etymology of English words.

#8 Dictionaries

Extension: PDF | 28 pages

Dictionaries by eGyanKosh is a comprehensive guide exploring the definition, types, and uses of dictionaries. It elucidates lexicography and dictionary evaluation, offering a valuable resource for anyone interested in language and reference materials.

#9 The Oxford Handbook of Lexicography

Extension: PDF | 33 pages

The Oxford Handbook of Lexicography por Éva Buchi explores etymological dictionaries and their place within lexicography. It discusses contemporary practices, current issues, and definitions crucial for understanding etymology's role in language.

#10 Etymological Wordnet Tracing The History of Words (Article)

Extension: PDF | 7 pages

Etymological Wordnet Tracing The History of Words (Article) por Gerard de Melo. This paper introduces the Etymological Wordnet, a valuable resource that compiles word origin information into a large, machine-readable network across numerous languages. Explore the fascinating connections between words and their historical roots, derived from Wiktion...

#11 Bridging Languages through Etymology The Case of Cross Language Text Categorization (Article)

Extension: PDF | 9 pages

Bridging Languages through Etymology The Case of Cross Language Text Categorization (Article) por Vivi Nastase,Carlo Strapparava. This paper explores the use of word etymology as a bridge between languages for cross-language text categorization, demonstrating significant improvements in accuracy by incorporating etymological roots. It's a compellin...

#12 An Etymological Analysis of English Words (Article)

Extension: PDF | 3 pages

An Etymological Analysis of English Words (Article) por Dr Arun K Behera presents a concise overview of loan words and etymology, highlighting the origins and historical evolution of English vocabulary. This paper offers valuable insights for language learners and teachers seeking to understand the richness and complexity of the English language.

#13 Etymology of Technical Vocabulary in English (Article)

Extension: PDF | 6 pages

Etymology of Technical Vocabulary in English (Article) por Dr Suneetha Yedla discusses the origins of technical terms. It explains word formation processes like compounding, affixation, and acronyms, crucial for understanding technical fields.

#14 Common Root Words and Word Origins (Article)

Extension: PDF | 6 pages

Common Root Words and Word Origins (Article) by Middletown Township Public Schools offers a comprehensive list of common root words, prefixes, and suffixes, along with their meanings and examples. Understanding these elements can significantly enhance vocabulary and comprehension skills.

#15 Old English Vocabulary (Article)

Extension: PDF | 7 pages

Old English Vocabulary (Article) por Tinatin Margalitadze is a concise exploration of Old English vocabulary, tracing its Germanic roots and Latin influences. This valuable resource sheds light on the etymological layers and word-formation processes of Old English.

#16 Types of Greek Ancient Etymologies (Article)

Extension: PDF | 4 pages

Types of Greek Ancient Etymologies (Article) por C Le Feuvre presents a concise typology of ancient Greek etymologies, providing a valuable framework for understanding how words were historically interpreted. This April 2020 document explores different approaches to etymological analysis, offering insights into ancient linguistic thought.

#17 Some Greek and Latin Word Roots (Article)

Extension: PDF | 12 pages

Some Greek and Latin Word Roots (Article) por Information Literacy University of Idaho is a concise listing of Greek and Latin roots with their meanings. It's an invaluable reference for understanding the etymology of words and enhancing vocabulary.

#18 Are the Methods to use Historical Lexicology (Etymology) in Contemporary Medical Terminology Teaching Reasonable (Article)

Extension: PDF | 10 pages

Are the Methods to use Historical Lexicology (Etymology) in Contemporary Medical Terminology Teaching Reasonable (Article) por Maria Bujalkova examines the relevance of etymology in modern medical education. It highlights the benefits of understanding the historical roots of medical terms for better comprehension and retention.

#19 Fundamentals of Medical Etymology (Article)

Extension: PDF | 5 pages

Fundamentals of Medical Etymology (Article) by Joseph M Patwell offers a concise guide to understanding the origins of medical terms. Explore the Greek and Latin roots shaping modern medical vocabulary, essential for anyone in the field.

Here ends our selection of free Etymology Books in PDF format. We hope you liked it and already have your next book!

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