Final answer:
Etymology is the study of the origin of words and how their meanings have changed over time. It helps us understand the history and cultural connections of language.
Step-by-step explanation:
Etymology is the study of the origin of words and how the meaning of words changed over time. It involves tracing the history of words, their roots, and how they have evolved in different languages and cultures. For example, the word 'telephone' originated from Greek roots 'tele' meaning 'far' and 'phone' meaning 'sound', which reflects its function of transmitting sound over long distances. Etymology helps us understand the rich history and cultural connections of language.