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her·me·neu·tics

(hûr′mə-ntĭks, -ny-)

n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb)

The theory and methodology of interpretation, especially of scriptural text.

[From HERMENEUTIC.]

her′me·neutist n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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