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Etymology Collection

Etymology, the study of the origin and history of words, is a fascinating field that delves into the depths of language

Background imageEtymology Collection: Manuscript of an artist mixing paints

Manuscript of an artist mixing paints
1578315 Manuscript of an artist mixing paints; (add.info.: Manuscript of an artist mixing paints. The text refers to the etymology of the word colour, with appeals to the authority of Aristotle)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Wilhelm Carl Grimm and Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm

Wilhelm Carl Grimm and Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm
864671 Wilhelm Carl Grimm and Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm by Cruikshank, George (1792-1878); (add.info.: Wilhelm Carl Grimm (1786-1859) left, and Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm (1786-1859) right

Background imageEtymology Collection: Plate VI, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Plate VI, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282476 Plate VI, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes, Benjamin (fl.c.1749); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Plate VII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Plate VII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282469 Plate VII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes, Benjamin (fl.c.1749); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Plate V, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Plate V, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282474 Plate V, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes, Benjamin (fl.c.1749); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Plate XI, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Plate XI, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282484 Plate XI, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes, Benjamin (fl.c.1749); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Detail from Plate IX, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Detail from Plate IX, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282478 Detail from Plate IX, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes

Background imageEtymology Collection: Plate II, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Plate II, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282460 Plate II, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes, Benjamin (fl.c.1749); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Detail from Plate VIII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Detail from Plate VIII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282477 Detail from Plate VIII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes

Background imageEtymology Collection: Plate IV, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Plate IV, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282467 Plate IV, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes, Benjamin (fl.c.1749); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageEtymology Collection: The origin of cockney (coloured engraving)

The origin of cockney (coloured engraving)
606999 The origin of cockney (coloured engraving) by Cruikshank, George (1792-1878); Private Collection; (add.info.: The origin of cockney); Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection

Background imageEtymology Collection: Plate VIII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Plate VIII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282475 Plate VIII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes, Benjamin (fl.c.1749); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Detail from Plate VI, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Detail from Plate VI, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282471 Detail from Plate VI, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes

Background imageEtymology Collection: Detail from Plate IV, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Detail from Plate IV, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282470 Detail from Plate IV, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes

Background imageEtymology Collection: Plate III, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Plate III, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282465 Plate III, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes, Benjamin (fl.c.1749); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Plate 1, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Plate 1, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282463 Plate 1, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes, Benjamin (fl.c.1749); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Plate XII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Plate XII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282485 Plate XII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes, Benjamin (fl.c.1749); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Detail from Plate X, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Detail from Plate X, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282482 Detail from Plate X, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes

Background imageEtymology Collection: Detail from Plate VII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Detail from Plate VII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282473 Detail from Plate VII, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes

Background imageEtymology Collection: Detail from Plate V, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Detail from Plate V, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282472 Detail from Plate V, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes

Background imageEtymology Collection: Frontispiece, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Frontispiece, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282464 Frontispiece, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes, Benjamin (fl.c.1749); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Detail from Plate II, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub

Detail from Plate II, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub
3282462 Detail from Plate II, from A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, pub. 1764 (hand coloured engraving) by Wilkes

Background imageEtymology Collection: Boxing Day (engraving)

Boxing Day (engraving)
5997811 Boxing Day (engraving) by Cruikshank, George (1792-1878); Private Collection; (add.info.: Boxing Day. Illustration for The Comic Almanack with illustrations by George Cruikshank)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Scorpionfly (Panorpa communis)

Scorpionfly (Panorpa communis)
Antique illustration of a Scorpionfly (Panorpa communis)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Aphrodite (Venus)

Aphrodite (Venus)
Antique illustration engraving of a Aphrodite (Venus)

Background imageEtymology Collection: Ms 167 fol. 69 Historiated initial D depicting the coat of arms of the Clairvaux family

Ms 167 fol. 69 Historiated initial D depicting the coat of arms of the Clairvaux family
XIR154719 Ms 167 fol.69 Historiated initial D depicting the coat of arms of the Clairvaux family, from Etymologiae by St. Isidore of Seville (vellum) by French School

Background imageEtymology Collection: Wilhelm Carl Grimm (1786-1859) left, and Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm (1786-1859) right

Wilhelm Carl Grimm (1786-1859) left, and Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm (1786-1859) right, German philologists and folklorists. The English speaking world knows them best for their fairy tales Kinder- und

Background imageEtymology Collection: Christs descent into Limbo, 14th century

Christs descent into Limbo, 14th century
Christs descent into Limbo. Jesus Christ (left) bearing a flag and walking over a fallen door and a devil holding a key to bring salvation to those in Limbo


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Etymology, the study of the origin and history of words, is a fascinating field that delves into the depths of language. It traces back to renowned scholars Wilhelm Carl Grimm and Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm, who dedicated their lives to unraveling the mysteries behind linguistic evolution. As we explore Plate VI from "A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, " published during an era when scientific illustrations were at their peak, we are reminded that etymology is not limited to words alone. Just as butterflies undergo metamorphosis, so do languages evolve over time. Plate VII showcases another exquisite illustration from this rare publication. Like delicate wings fluttering in the wind, words take flight through centuries, carrying with them stories and histories embedded within their very essence. In Plate V's depiction of butterflies and moths, we can draw parallels between these creatures' intricate patterns and etymological connections. Each word carries its own unique design shaped by cultural influences and historical events. Turning our attention to Plate XI's captivating image from "A Rare Depiction of Butterflies and Moths, " we realize that just like these insects come in various shapes and sizes, so do words have different origins – some rooted in ancient civilizations while others sprouting from more recent times. Detail from Plate IX provides us with a closer look at one particular butterfly or moth species. Similarly, etymology allows us to dissect individual words' components – prefixes, suffixes - revealing hidden meanings beneath their surface appearances. Plate II invites us into a world where vibrant colors merge harmoniously on fragile wings. In much the same way, etymology uncovers how diverse languages intertwine through borrowing or sharing common roots across borders. Examining Detail from Plate VIII reveals intricate patterns adorning each wing; similarly, studying word derivations exposes connections between seemingly unrelated terms – threads interwoven throughout linguistic tapestries. Plate IV takes us on a visual journey through nature's wonders - a reminder that etymology is deeply intertwined with the natural world.