The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology

by Robert K. Barnhart (Editor), Sol Steinmetz (Editor)

This book is a unique scholarly achievement-authoritative original scholarship designed to be a useful reference source for the general reader as well as for an important etymological resource for the expert. With over 3,000 entries, the Dictionary covers over 25,000 root, or basic, English words, detailing the derivation of each in clearly written passages that interweave thousands of linguistic and historical facts to explain where words originate, how their forms have changed in English, and how their meanings have developed over time.

Hardcover

First published December 1, 1987

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very satisfied with this etymological dictionary. Thorough, identifies earliest known usage, and knowledgeably theorizes the rest. I will covet the library’s copy until I can get my own copy.