historical linguistics


noun (used with a singular verb)

the study of changes in a language or group of languages over a period of time.
Also called diachronic linguistics.

Origin of historical linguistics

First recorded in 1920–25

British Dictionary definitions for historical linguistics

historical linguistics

noun

(functioning as singular) the study of language as it changes in the course of time, with a view either to discovering general principles of linguistic change or to establishing the correct genealogical classification of particular languages Also called: diachronic linguistics Compare descriptive linguistics