lexicology

Definition

The part of linguistics that studies words, their nature and meaning, words' elements, relations between words including semantic relations, words groups and the whole lexicon.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek λεξικός (lexikós, “of words”), from λέξις (léxis, “a saying, speech, word”), from λέγειν (légein, “to speak”). By surface analysis, lexico- + -logy.

Example Sentences

• "The fifth is devoted to doctrine; the sixth and seventh to remarks on syntax and lexicology respectively."

Related Words