Constructing Microstructures in A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language (E. Klein)

This article examines the construction of microstructures in Ernest Klein’s "Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language" (CEDLE). It delves into the traditional and cognitive-comparative principles used in the compilation of etymological dictionaries, highlighting the integration of structural, functional, and cognitive linguistics in modern lexicography. The study emphasizes the significance of etymological dictionaries as repositories of linguistic evolution, exploring how etymons—original forms and meanings of words—are presented within CEDLE. It outlines the methods used to organize etymological data, including phonetic, morphological, historical, and ideographic rules, and demonstrates how these principles are applied to construct etymological microstructures. The article also introduces a heuristic model of etymological entries in the form of a fractal, reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of etymological hypotheses. The research underscores the necessity of adopting novel approaches in etymological lexicography to facilitate a deeper understanding of language history and its cognitive and cultural factors.