Θεόδωρος Μωυσιάδης - Κέντρο Λεξικολογίας, Αθήνα This study aims at formulating a hierarchical structure for etymological research. It is suggested that, in order to judge an etymological conjecture or decide among many, the etymologist should benefit from the following criteria: 1) Morphology should be given priority over phonetic similarity, 2) Form should be given priority over meaning, 3) Linguistic principles should be given priority over non-linguistic ones, and 4) Homochrony of data and of successive reconstructed stages should be determined, in order to ensure methodological consistency and base the conclusion on solid evidence. ΛΕΞΕΙΣ-ΚΛΕΙΔΙΑ: επανανάλυση, ετυμολογία, κινητροδότηση, ομοχρονία