Terms of use
Last updated
These terms were last updated on 2026-09-18. By using the site you accept them.
What the site is
Etymon Yard is an independent educational reference about word origins. It is not a dictionary, not a translation service, and not a course. Use it alongside a dictionary you trust rather than instead of one.
Accuracy
Etymology involves reconstruction and disagreement, and entries here reflect the sources they are drawn from. We try to be right and to flag uncertainty, but no warranty of accuracy is given. A claim on this site is not a substitute for checking a primary reference before you use it in academic work, publishing or a commercial setting.
Acceptable use
You may read, quote and link freely. You may not use automated tools in a way that degrades the site for other readers — bulk scraping, mirroring the whole site, or bulk download of the diagram files is not permitted. Do not attempt to bypass access controls, interfere with the hosting, or present the site’s content as your own.
Intellectual property
The written entries, the layout and the generated diagrams are the property of Etymon Yard. Word origins themselves are facts and cannot be owned, but the way they are written up here can. Reproduction rules are on the contact page: short quotations with attribution and a link are welcome; full republication needs written permission.
Advertising
Advertising on the site is served by third parties. The presence of an advertisement is not a recommendation of the product, and advertisements are not part of the editorial content. Any dealings you have with an advertiser are between you and them.
No professional advice
Nothing on this site is legal, medical, financial or professional advice of any kind. Word histories are not a basis for decisions about your health, your money or your rights.
Limitation of liability
The site is provided as is, without warranties of any kind. To the extent permitted by law, Etymon Yard is not liable for any loss arising from use of the site or reliance on its content, including decisions taken on the basis of an etymology given here.
Changes
These terms may change; the date at the top of the page shows when they last did. Continued use after a change means you accept the new version. Questions go to [email protected].