history-writing
|his-to-ry-writ-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈhɪs.tɚ.i ˈraɪ.tɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈhɪs.t(ə)r.i ˈraɪ.tɪŋ/
composing accounts of the past
Etymology
'history-writing' is a compound of 'history' and 'writing'. 'history' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'historia' (from Greek 'historia'), where 'historia' meant 'inquiry, account'; 'writing' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'writan', where 'writan' meant 'to score, scratch, or write down'.
'history' passed into English via Old French/Middle English (Old French estorie / Middle English historie) from Latin 'historia' (Greek 'historia'), and 'writing' comes from Old English 'writan' (Proto-Germanic *writaną). These elements combined in Modern English to form the compound 'history-writing' meaning the writing of history.
Initially, 'history' meant 'inquiry' or 'account' and 'writing' meant 'inscribing or marking down'; over time their combination evolved into the modern sense of 'the practice or craft of composing accounts and interpretations of past events.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or craft of composing accounts of past events; historiography or the written record and interpretation of history.
Modern history-writing often emphasizes social and economic factors as much as political events.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/12 20:38