etymological dictionary

[birgitte]

Can anybody recommend a dictionary that gives the etymology behind each word as well as the definition? I looked on Amazon website but could not find anything that looked very appealing.

[Quizmonster]

Click here for a suitable online dictionary.

[maxi29]

If you want a paper version, most good dictionaries should give the etymology behind each word. I have the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on my shelf and invaluable it is too.

[Xollob]

I can recommend Ologies and Isms by Michael Quinion. This is not an etymological dictionary as such, but if you're interested in the building blocks of English you will enjoy this. Have a look at some sample entries here.