DIACHRONY Definition & Meaning

diachrony

[ dahy-ak-ruh-nee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

plural diachronies.

historical change.
Linguistics.
1. the study of a linguistic system through comparison of different points in its history; a diachronic approach to language study: Compare synchrony ( def 2 ).
  The analysis emphasizes diachrony as a means for understanding sound systems.
2. change or development in a linguistic system over a period of time:
  The diachrony of the language suggests that the bare form was the original.

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First recorded in 1955–60; diachron(ic) + -y ³

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