සැකිල්ල:etymon/documentation

	Documentation for සැකිල්ල:etymon. ^[edit]
	This page contains usage information, categories, interwiki links and other content describing the template.

Uses Lua:

Uses TemplateStyles:

Module:etymon/styles.css

කෙටි මග:
ety

This template may be used in Wiktionary entries to indicate a term's immediate ancestor. Note that generally, an "etymon" can refer to any kind of etymological ancestor, but on this page, "etymon" will be used specifically for an immediate ancestor. For example, the etymon of ඉංග්‍රීසි nexus is ලතින් nexus, and the etymon of ලතින් nexus is ලතින් nectō. Terms can have multiple etymons, so the etymons of ඉංග්‍රීසි toothbrush are both tooth and brush. Even if the etymology of a term is completely unknown, this template may still be useful.

Current features: automatic categorization, tree generation, text generation (experimental), reference support.

Usage

Suppose that the etymon of ඉංග්‍රීසි pay is set to මධ්‍යකාලීන ඉංග්‍රීසි payen, and the etymon of payen is set to පුරාතන ප්‍රංශ paiier. The template is then able to intelligently connect pay and paiier, even though they are two steps apart. The template thus reduces duplication across entries by making it unnecessary to manually specify that pay and paiier are connected.

When there are multiple etymologies for the same term (homographs), etymology IDs must be specified in the etymon parameters to distinguish between them. Otherwise, there is ambiguity: when we write pay is from paiier, we really mean pay in the sense "to give money", not "to cover the bottom of a vessel with tar or pitch" (which has a completely different origin). The only way to ensure that the template is able to traverse these etymological chains without getting confused is to ensure that both senses of pay are given unique IDs which allow them to be distinguished. This mirrors the practice of the OED, which identifies these two pays as 1139292520 and 4272270366, respectively. However, unlike in the OED, the identifier should be a word or short phrase which summarizes the definition of the term rather than a meaningless string of numbers. In the case of pay, the two IDs might be give money and smear.

For terms with only one etymology, no ID is required either in the template's |id= parameter or in the etymon parameters. The template will work with simple etymons like enm:payen or fro:paiier. However, if a page has multiple etymon templates for the same language, all of them must have unique IDs—the template will throw an error if it finds multiple etymon templates where at least one is missing an ID.

Parameters

The template takes the following parameters:

|1= (required)

The language code of the current entry.

|id=

The etymology ID. This parameter creates an anchor to the current section. For example, if the template at ඉංග්‍රීසි father is {{etymon|en|id=male parent}}, this etymology section is directly linked to by father#English: male parent. The ID must have at least two characters and must not be the same as the page title. This parameter is optional when there is only one etymology for the term, but required when there are multiple etymologies.

|title=

This parameter manually overrides the current page title. For example, if an etymology tree is created at ලතින් pōnō (located at pono) it is necessary to specify |title=pōnō to ensure that the macrons are displayed.

|pos=

Indicates the part of speech of the current entry, which allows descendants to intelligently categorize themselves. Current allowed values are: prefix, suffix, interfix, infix, root, word.

|exnihilo=

If set to anything, adds the entry to the category <language> terms coined ex nihilo.

|etydate=

Specifies the date or time period when the term was first attested. Supports inline modifiers for references and formatting. For example:

etydate=1500s<ref:“etymon/documentation”, in OED ඔන්ලයින් ⁠, ඔක්ස්ෆර්ඩ්, Oxfordshire: ඔක්ස්ෆර්ඩ් විශ්වවිද්‍යාල මුද්‍රණාලය, launched 2000.>

or etydate=late 14c<nocap>.

Ranges can also be given, e.g.

etydate=r,1501,1558<ref:Maria Renata Mayenowa; Stanisław Rospond; Witold Taszycki; Stefan Hrabec; Władysław Kuraszkiewicz (2010-2023), “artykuł”, in Słownik Polszczyzny XVI Wieku [A Dictionary of 16th Century Polish]>

|rfe=

Adds a request for etymology notice. Can be set to 1 for a standard notice, or to custom text for a specific request. Supports inline modifiers: <nocat>, <noes>, <box>, <sort:key>, <y:year>, <m:month>, <fragment:section>, <section:name>. For example: |rfe=1, rfe=Need more details<nocat>, or rfe=1<box><sort:custom>.

|nodot=

If set to anything, removes the final period from the generated etymology text. Useful when combining with other text or templates.

|nocat=

If set to anything, suppresses automatic categorization.

|tree=

If set to anything, displays an etymology tree.

|text= [EXPERIMENTAL]

If set to anything, displays some text describing the etymology. The text modes are:

+ — single step (immediate parent only)
++ — all steps (full etymology chain)
* — to the nearest blue link (stops when it reaches an existing entry)
A number (e.g., 3) — show up to that many steps
:langcode (e.g., :ar) — show steps until reaching a term in the specified language

|2=, |3=, ...

These are the etymon parameters. Each etymon parameter can be either an etymon or a derivation keyword. There can be any number of etymon parameters.

Etymons

Etymons must be written using the following format: languagecode:term<id:identifier><ref:reference>. For example: en:pay<id:give money> represents ඉංග්‍රීසි pay (etymology 1). As a shortcut, it is possible to omit the language code (i.e., just writing pay<id:give money>). In this case, the template will assume that the language is the same as the one set in |1=.

The ID is not mandatory - simple etymons can be written as just languagecode:term (e.g., en:father) or term (e.g., father when the language matches parameter 1). However, if there are multiple etymologies for the same term on the target page, an ID must be specified to distinguish between them.

To suppress the term display (show only the language), use - as the term, e.g., la:-.

Additional inline modifiers can be used:

<id:identifier> - specifies the etymology ID. Prefix with ! (e.g., <id:!forced>) to force the ID even when disambiguation would normally not require it.
<t:gloss> - provides gloss/translation
<tr:transliteration> - provides transliteration
<ts:transcription> - provides transcription
<alt:alternative display> - alternative display text
<pos:part of speech> - part of speech annotation
<ety:inline etymology> - inline etymology for redlinks (see section below)
<unc> - When set, marks the corresponding step or element as uncertain. Note that discredited, dubious, or speculative etymologies should not be added to the template at all
<ref:reference text> - adds references (see References section)
<aftype:type> - specifies the affix type when used with :af. Valid values: prefix/pre, suffix/suf, infix/in, interfix/inter, circumfix/circum, non-affix/naf, root.
<postype:type> - specifies whether a term should be treated as a root or word for categorization purposes. Overrides the default detected from the linked page's |pos=.
<bor> - when used on a term under :af, adds borrowing categories for that specific component (for affixed terms where one component is borrowed).

Inline etymology

For terms that don't have their own entry (redlinks) or are missing an etymon template, you can specify the etymology inline using the <ety:...> modifier. This allows the tree to continue beyond redlinks.

The syntax is: <ety:keyword<etymon1><etymon2>...>

For example:

enm:example<ety:inh<ang:example>> - specifies that the Middle English term is inherited from Old English
la:verbum<ety:der<grc:ῥῆμα>> - specifies that the Latin term is derived from Greek

The inline etymology is only used when the target page is a redlink or is missing an etymon template. If the target page has a valid etymon template, the inline etymology is ignored (and a tracking category is added).

Derivation keywords

Each derivation keyword applies to all the etymons that follow it. Derivation keywords must be prefixed with a colon (:). A derivation keyword is reset by another derivation keyword. For example, |:inh|etymon1|etymon2|:bor|etymon3|etymon4 means that a term is inherited from both etymon1 and etymon2 and also borrowed from both etymon3 and etymon4.

Keyword modifiers

Keywords can have inline modifiers attached using angle brackets:

<unc> - marks the derivation as uncertain. For example, :bor<unc> means "possibly borrowed from".
<ref:reference text> - adds a reference to the keyword (same syntax as etymon references).
<conj:conjunction> - specifies a custom conjunction when there are multiple etymons under the same keyword. Default is "or". For example:
- :bor<conj:and/or>|es:cruzado|pt:cruzado produces "Borrowed from Spanish cruzado and/or Portuguese cruzado."
- :bor<conj:and>|etymon1|etymon2 produces "...etymon1 and etymon2."

Basic derivation

:from: (default) unspecified derivation type within a language. Corresponds with {{from}}. Only valid for same-language derivations.
:derived (or :der): short for "derived". Used when a term is derived from another language. Corresponds with {{derived}}.
:inherited (or :inh): short for "inherited". Used when a term comes directly from the parent language unchanged. Corresponds with {{inherited}}. The template validates that the source language is a valid ancestor.
:uder: short for "undefined derivation". Used when the exact relationship is unclear. Adds to "undefined derivations" category.

Borrowings

:bor (alias :borrowed): short for "borrowed". Used when a term is borrowed from another language directly. Corresponds with {{borrowed}}.
:lbor: short for "learned borrowing". Used when a term is borrowed intentionally rather than through normal language contact. Corresponds with {{learned borrowing}}.
:slbor: short for "semi-learned borrowing". Used for a learned borrowing which is reshaped somewhat. Corresponds with {{semi-learned borrowing}}.
:obor: short for "orthographic borrowing". Used for orthographic borrowings. Corresponds with {{orthographic borrowing}}.
:ubor: short for "unadapted borrowing". Used for direct borrowings that retain original orthography. Corresponds with {{unadapted borrowing}}.

Semantic relationships

:calque (aliases :cal, :clq): used for calques. Corresponds with {{calque}}. Non-transitive (does not follow the chain further).
:partial calque (or :pcal): short for "partial calque". Used for partial calques. Corresponds with {{partial calque}}. Non-transitive.
:semantic loan (or :sl): used for semantic loans. Corresponds with {{semantic loan}}. Non-transitive.
:influence: used when a term is influenced in some way by another. For example, the modern meaning of ඉංග්‍රීසි discomfit is influenced by the unrelated word discomfort. Non-transitive.

Word formation

:affix (or :af): short for "affix". Used for compounds, affixation, and any other template where a "+" is involved. The order matters: |:af|etymon1|etymon2 means etymon1 + etymon2. Corresponds with {{affix}}, {{compound}}, and others. Generates affix categories automatically.
:afeq: short for "equivalent affix". For example, ඉංග්‍රීසි childhood is from මධ්‍යකාලීන ඉංග්‍රීසි childhode, but is equivalent to child +‎ -hood. Etymons with this keyword are invisible in trees and text output, but still generate appropriate categories.
:blend: used for blends. Corresponds with {{blend}}.
:reduplication (or :redup): used for reduplications. Corresponds with {{reduplication}}.
:abbreviation (or :abbr): used for abbreviations. Corresponds with {{abbreviation}}.
:acronym (alias :acro): used for acronyms. Corresponds with {{acronym}}.
:initialism (alias :init): used for initialisms. Corresponds with {{initialism}}.
:univerbation (or :univ): used for univerbation. Corresponds with {{univerbation}}.
:clipping (or :clip): used for clippings. Corresponds with {{clipping}}.
:ellipsis (alias :ellip): used for elliptical forms. Corresponds with {{ellipsis}}.
:back-formation (or :bf): short for "back-formation". Used for back-formations. Corresponds with {{back-formation}}.
:apheretic (aliases :apheresis, :aphetic): used for apheretic forms.
:denominal (alias :denom): used for denominals. Corresponds with {{denominal verb}}.
:deverbal: used for deverbals. Corresponds with {{deverbal}}.

Other

:transliteration (or :translit): short for "transliteration". Used when a term is transliterated from another script. Corresponds with {{transliteration}}.
:vrd: short for "vṛddhi derivative". Used for Sanskrit vṛddhi derivatives.
:root: marks the following etymons as roots for categorization purposes. The etymons will be categorized under "terms belonging to the root X" or "terms derived from the root X". This keyword is invisible in tree and text output.

Using a keyword not on this list will produce an error.

References

References can be added to etymons using inline modifiers with the syntax <ref:reference text>. Multiple references can be separated by !!! (with spaces around the exclamation marks). References support the same syntax as other Wiktionary reference templates, including named references and groups (see Module:references). References are only displayed when |text= is set and only on the same entry they are defined, not on any descendants.

Examples:

la:verbum<ref:{{R:L&S}}> - single reference
- Equivalent to <ref>{{R:L&S}}</ref>
la:verbum<ref:{{R:L&S}}<<name:LS>> !!! {{R:Gaffiot}}> - multiple references with naming
- Equivalent to <ref name="LS">{{R:L&S}}</ref><ref>{{R:Gaffiot}}</ref>
la:verbum<ref:<<name:LS>>> - reference to previously named reference
- Equivalent to <ref name="LS"/>
la:verbum<ref:{{R:L&S}}<<name:LS>><<group:etymology>>> - named reference with group
- Equivalent to <ref name="LS" group="etymology">{{R:L&S}}</ref>

Trees

If the parameter |tree=1 is set, an etymology tree is inserted.

Per an April 2024 vote, each language community decides when it is appropriate to show a tree on a particular entry.^[1] Additionally, trees should not be displayed for clear open compounds like United States of America.^[2]

Keywords with no_child_categories (such as :calque, :sl, :pcal, :influence) will have their subtrees hidden in the tree display, as these represent non-transitive relationships where the further etymology is not directly relevant. Similarly, duplicate nodes (when the same term appears multiple times in a tree) do not re-display their ancestry. In both cases, an L-shaped dotted connector indicates hidden ancestry, and duplicate nodes are additionally styled with dashed borders.

Language-specific behavior

Some languages have special handling configured in the module:

Chinese

Etymology trees and text are disabled for Chinese languages (those in the zhx family, excluding contact languages (e.g. creoles, pidgins, mixed languages)). See Wiktionary:Beer parlour/2025/May#Template:etymon for Chinese for discussion. Categories are also suppressed, and transliterations are not displayed.

Finnish

The :af keyword is non-transitive for Finnish, meaning the etymology chain stops at affixed terms.

Examples

{{etymon|en|:inh|enm:fader<id:father>|id=male parent}} (on ඉංග්‍රීසි father)

This means: father is inherited from Middle English fader.

{{etymon|en|:inh|enm:fader}} (on a page with only one etymology)

This also works when there is only one etymology—no ID required on either side.

{{etymon|ine-pro|:af|*peh₂-<id:protect><unc>|*-tḗr<id:agent noun><unc>|id=father}} (on ප්‍රොටෝ-ඉන්දු-යුරෝපීය *ph₂tḗr)

This means: *ph₂tḗr might come from *peh₂ + *-tḗr. In this case, the etymons are associated with the derivation keyword ":af". Note that since the language is not specified for either etymon, the template assumes that the two etymons are ine-pro (Proto-Indo-European).

{{etymon|pl|:deverbal|podłożyć<id:put>}} (on පෝලන්ත podłoga)

This means: podłoga comes from Polish podłożyć.

{{etymon|en|:bor|fr:bouquet<id:bundle><ref:{{R:TLFi}}>|id=bundle of flowers|text=+}}

This means: bouquet is borrowed from French bouquet, with a reference to the TLFi dictionary. The reference will appear after the period in the generated text: "Borrowed from French bouquet.^[1]"

{{etymon|en|:af|un-|happy<aftype:naf>|id=example}}

Using <aftype:naf> to mark "happy" as a non-affix (the base word) rather than letting auto-detection determine the affix type.

{{etymon|en|:root|ine-pro:*bʰer-<id:carry>|id=example}}

Using :root to categorize the term under "English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰer-" without showing this in the tree or text.

{{etymon|en|:der|la:exemplum<ety:inh<la:eximō>>|id=example}}

Using inline etymology to specify that Latin exemplum is inherited from eximō, useful when the Latin page doesn't have an etymon template.

{{etymon|en|:bor<conj:and/or>|es:cruzado|pt:cruzado|text=+}}

Using the <conj:and/or> modifier to specify a custom conjunction. This produces: "Borrowed from Spanish cruzado and/or Portuguese cruzado."

Suppressed terms

{{etymon|en|:inh|enm:-<t:some term>|id=example}}

Using - as the term to suppress the term display and show only the language. The gloss and other modifiers are still displayed.

Text output modes

{{etymon|en|:inh|enm:word|id=example|text=+}}

Using |text=+ to show only the immediate etymon (one step).

{{etymon|en|:inh|enm:word|id=example|text=++}}

Using |text=++ to show the full etymology chain (all steps, following through to the ultimate origin).

{{etymon|en|:inh|enm:word|id=example|text=*}}

Using |text=* to show the etymology chain until reaching the first existing entry (blue link).

{{etymon|en|:inh|enm:word|id=example|text=3}}

Using |text=3 to show up to 3 steps in the etymology chain.

{{etymon|en|:der|ar:كلمة|id=example|text=:ar}}

Using |text=:ar to show the etymology chain until reaching an Arabic term. Invalid language codes will trigger a warning and default to showing the full chain.

Multiple etymon sources

{{etymon|en|:bor<unc>|es:palabra|pt:palavra|id=example}}

Multiple etymons under the same keyword with uncertainty. The <unc> modifier on the keyword marks the entire derivation as uncertain ("Possibly borrowed from...").

{{etymon|en|:inh|enm:word|:bor|fr:mot|id=example}}

Multiple keywords in sequence. This indicates the term is both inherited from Middle English word and also borrowed from French mot (e.g., for different senses or competing etymologies).

{{etymon|en|:af|un-<aftype:pre>|happy<aftype:naf>|-ness<aftype:suf>|id=example}}

Complex affixation with explicit affix types. The <aftype:...> modifier specifies whether each component is a prefix (pre), suffix (suf), infix (in), interfix (inter), circumfix (circum), non-affix base word (naf), or root (root).

Semantic relationships

{{etymon|en|:influence|en:comfort<id:ease>|id=modern sense}}

Using :influence to indicate semantic influence. This is non-transitive (does not continue the etymology chain). Useful for cases like discomfit being influenced by discomfort.

{{etymon|en|:calque|de:Weltanschauung|id=example}}

Using :calque for calques. Non-transitive; the etymology of the source term is not followed.

{{etymon|en|:pcal|fr:gratte-ciel|id=example}}

Using :pcal (partial calque). Also non-transitive.

{{etymon|en|:sl|la:musculus<id:muscle>|id=example}}

Using :sl (semantic loan). Also non-transitive.

Specialized borrowings

{{etymon|en|:lbor|la:exemplum|id=example}}

Using :lbor for learned borrowings (terms borrowed through literary or scholarly transmission rather than natural language contact).

{{etymon|es|:slbor|la:capitulum|id=example}}

Using :slbor for semi-learned borrowings (learned borrowings that have been partially adapted to native phonology).

{{etymon|en|:ubor|fr:déjà vu|id=example}}

Using :ubor for unadapted borrowings (terms borrowed with original orthography intact).

{{etymon|ja|:obor|zh:電話|id=example}}

Using :obor for orthographic borrowings (borrowing of written characters/script).

Word formation

{{etymon|en|:blend|motor|hotel|id=example}}

Using :blend for blends (portmanteau words).

{{etymon|en|:univ|good|bye|id=example}}

Using :univerbation (or :univ) for univerbation (multiple words becoming one).

{{etymon|en|:clip|advertisement|id=example}}

Using :clipping (or :clip) for clippings.

{{etymon|en|:bf|editor|id=example}}

Using :back-formation (or :bf) for back-formations.

{{etymon|en|:apheretic|esquire|id=example}}

Using :apheretic (or :apheresis) for apheretic forms (loss of initial unstressed vowel).

{{etymon|en|:denominal|hammer|id=example}}

Using :denominal (or :denom) for denominal verbs (verbs derived from nouns).

{{etymon|en|:deverbal|speak|id=example}}

Using :deverbal for deverbals (nouns/adjectives derived from verbs).

Inline etymology for redlinks

{{etymon|en|:der|xno:mot<ety:inh<fro:mot<ety:inh<la:muttum>>>>|id=example}}

Using nested inline etymologies to specify a full chain for terms without entries. This specifies that Anglo-Norman mot is inherited from Old French mot, which is inherited from Latin muttum.

{{etymon|en|:der|enm:word<ety:af<ang:word><-s>>|id=example}}

Inline etymology with affixation—specifies the Middle English term is formed from Old English word + -s.

References

{{etymon|en|:bor|fr:mot<ref:{{R:TLFi}} !!! {{R:Larousse}}>|id=example}}

Multiple references on a single etymon, separated by !!! (with spaces).

{{etymon|en|:bor<ref:{{R:OED}}>|fr:mot|id=example}}

Reference on the keyword itself (applies to the derivation relationship, not just the term).

{{etymon|en|:der|la:verbum<ref:<<name:LS>>{{R:L&S}}>|id=example}}

Named reference using <<name:LS>> syntax, which allows re-use elsewhere with <ref:<<name:LS>>>.

{{etymon|en|:der|la:verbum<ref:<<group:etymology>>{{R:L&S}}>|id=example}}

Reference with a group, for use with grouped reference lists.

Tree display

{{etymon|en|:inh|enm:word|id=example|tree=1}}

Using |tree=1 to display an etymology tree.

Combined features

{{etymon|en|:inh|enm:payen<id:pay><ref:{{R:MED}}>|id=give money|text=++|tree=1}}

Comprehensive example combining: etymology ID, inheritance keyword, etymon with ID and reference, full text output, and tree display.

{{etymon|en|:bor<unc>|fr:exemple<t:example><tr:ɛɡzɑ̃pl>|etydate=1500s<ref:{{R:OED}}>|id=example|nodot=1|text=+}}

Example with attestation date, uncertain borrowing, gloss and transliteration, single-step text output, and no final period (for combining with additional text).

See Template:etymon/testcases for test cases and more examples of use.

Categorization

The template generates various categories depending on how it is used, including the ones within:

as well as various standard etymology categories depending on what entries exist in the tree:

Borrowing categories (e.g., Category:English terms borrowed from French)
Inheritance categories (e.g., Category:English terms inherited from Middle English)
Affix categories (e.g., Category:English terms prefixed with un-)
Root categories (e.g., Category:English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰer-)
Specialized borrowing categories (learned, semi-learned, orthographic, unadapted)
Calque, partial calque, and semantic loan categories

Tracking

The module tracks various statistics for debugging and analysis:

Tree depth (how many generations deep the etymology goes)
Number of nodes (total terms in the tree)
Number of unique languages
Linear vs. branching trees

These can be found in the tracking categories under Template:tracking/etymon/.

References

TemplateData

This is the TemplateData documentation for this template used by VisualEditor and other tools.

TemplateData for etymon

This template may be used indicate a term's immediate ancestor(s).

Template parameters[Edit template data]
This template prefers inline formatting of parameters.
Parameter		Description	Type	Status
Language	`1`	The language of the current entry. Example en	String	required
Etymology ID	`id`	The ID of the current etymology section. Required when there are multiple etymologies for the same term. Example male parent	String	suggested
Title	`title`	The title of the current entry (if different from the page title) Example father	String	optional
Part of speech	`pos`	The part of speech (prefix, suffix, interfix, infix, root, word) Example root	String	optional
Etymology date	`etydate`	The date or time period when the term was first attested Example 1500s<ref:{{R:OED}}>	String	optional
Request for etymology	`rfe`	Adds a request for etymology notice. Set to 1 for standard notice, or provide custom text. Supports inline modifiers. Example 1, or Need more details<nocat>	String	optional
Etymon parameter #1	`2`	The first etymon parameter. Typically for derivation keyword. Example :der, alternatively - enm:fader<id:father>	String	optional
Etymon parameter #2	`3`	The second etymon parameter.	String	optional
Etymon parameter #3	`4`	The third etymon parameter.	String	optional
Etymon parameter #4	`5`	The fourth etymon parameter.	String	optional
Etymon parameter #5	`6`	The fifth etymon parameter.	String	optional
Etymon parameter #6	`7`	The sixth etymon parameter.	String	optional
Etymon parameter #7	`8`	The seventh etymon parameter.	String	optional
Etymon parameter #8	`9`	The eighth etymon parameter.	String	optional
Tree	`tree`	Set this to "1" to display a tree. Example 1	String	optional
Text	`text`	Automatically generates some text. Values: + (single step), ++ (all steps), * (to nearest blue link), a number (max steps), :langcode (stop at language) Example ++	String	optional
Ex nihilo	`exnihilo`	Set to categorize as a term coined ex nihilo	Boolean	optional
No categories	`nocat`	Set to suppress automatic categorization	Boolean	optional
No dot	`nodot`	Set to remove the final period from generated text	Boolean	optional

[1] Wiktionary:Votes/2024-04/Allowing etymology trees on entries

[2] Wiktionary:Beer parlour/2024/June § Use of etymology trees made with Template:etymon in the entries for multi-word terms

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