1. MrPiano

    MrPiano New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2012
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    New York, USA

    Resource for english words of different language origins?

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by MrPiano, Feb 14, 2013.

    Hey everyone!
    I was hoping someone would be able to help me with a rather odd task— I'm looking for some type of dictionary/online list of words separated into sections based on their derivations [for example, all English words derived from germanic languages, latin, french, greek, etc.]. So far I've only been able to find a few short Wikipedia articles about it, and I'm not educated enough on languages to be able to classify them myself.
    Thanks for any and all help!
     
  2. popsprocket

    popsprocket Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2012
    Messages:
    40
    Likes Received:
    2
    A quick google search for 'etymology dictionary' turned this up:

    http://www.etymonline.com/

    It has a wikipedia entry, so it has some notoriety at least. Not exactly what you are looking for, but you can still look up any word and read about its etymology.
     
  3. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    I doubt you'll find anything very comprehensive. Word origins (etymology) include a great deal of guesswork. The more languages you know, the better your chances of making a good guess about a particular word, but there are a lot of words that are coincidentally similar. Also, migrations of conquerors and refugees have spread words across major language centers, also making the true origins obscure.
     
  4. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    you can find what you want in 'sections' and create your own comprehensive etymological dictionary if you want... simply google for 'english words with german roots' then do the same for the other root languages and you'll find good lists... the first hit on the german page is a good alphabetical list and i'm sure there are many other ones... shouldn't be hard to find good ones for the other tongues, as well...

    https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&tab=Tw#hl=en&tbo=d&sclient=psy-ab&q=english+words+with+german+origin&oq=english+words+with+germ&gs_l=hp.1.1.0l2.1650.6714.0.9874.23.23.0.0.0.0.330.3615.2j18j1j2.23.0.les%3Bcrnk_timediscountc..0.0...1.1.3.psy-ab.VJBbNSqQiiI&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42553238,d.cGE&fp=1f35b907ecade008&biw=602&bih=346

    http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/word-lists/list-of-english-words-of-german-origin.html
     
  5. BitPoet

    BitPoet New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2008
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Southern Germany

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice