The term 'word origin' can be broken down into two parts: etymon (6 letters) and ETYMOLOGY (9 letters). Etymon is the root of a word, or the original form of a word before it has been changed by time or language. ETYMOLOGY is the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. Together, these two terms refer to the origin of a word and how it has evolved over time.