Etymology Map
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Method

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a particular way of doing something

Where does the word "method" come from? It comes from Greek methodos, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
methodos
Greek · ancient
"pursuit of knowledge"
'meta', after, plus 'hodos', way: following a path
2
Stage 2 of 3
methodus
Latin · ancient
"way of teaching"
used in medicine for a systematic way of treatment
3
Stage 3 of 3
method
English · 1400s
"systematic procedure"
'Methodist' began as a nickname for a methodical Oxford student group in 1729
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Read the full story

Method’s story begins in Greek: methodos meant “pursuit of knowledge.” 'meta', after, plus 'hodos', way: following a path. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as methodus. Used in medicine for a systematic way of treatment. It reached English by 1400s as method. 'Methodist' began as a nickname for a methodical Oxford student group in 1729. Today, method means a particular way of doing something.