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
Words nearby historical linguistics
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