Deriving (Noun)
Meaning
(historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The etymologist's deriving of the word "quarantine" from the Italian "quaranta" was a major breakthrough in understanding the history of the term.
- The linguist's deriving of the phrase "break a leg" from the superstition that it is bad luck to wish someone "good luck" directly was a fascinating example of how language evolves.
- The deriving of the word "sandwich" from the name of John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, was a well-known example of a word's origin being tied to a specific historical figure.
- The deriving of the phrase "pull out all the stops" from the world of pipe organs was a clever example of how a technical term can take on a broader metaphorical meaning.
- The deriving of the word "robot" from the Czech word "robota," meaning "forced labor," was a fascinating example of how science fiction can influence the development of language.