Etymology is the study of the origins of words and how their meanings have changed over time.

Etymology is the study of the origins of words and how their meanings have changed over time.

• A. The history of word origins
• B. The structure of sentences
• C. The rhythm of poetry
• D. The meaning of sentences

Answer: (A)

Etymology looks at where words come from and how their meanings change over time. The description that best fits is the history of word origins, because etymology traces a word’s roots, how it moved between languages, and how its sense can shift as it changes. For example, the word etymology itself comes from Greek roots meaning “true sense” and “study of,” illustrating how words carry a history across time. Other options point to different language areas: the structure of sentences is about grammar, the rhythm of poetry about meter, and the meaning of sentences about overall sentence meaning rather than word origins.

Etymology looks at where words come from and how their meanings change over time. The description that best fits is the history of word origins, because etymology traces a word’s roots, how it moved between languages, and how its sense can shift as it changes. For example, the word etymology itself comes from Greek roots meaning “true sense” and “study of,” illustrating how words carry a history across time. Other options point to different language areas: the structure of sentences is about grammar, the rhythm of poetry about meter, and the meaning of sentences about overall sentence meaning rather than word origins.