-ology, -logy +
(Greek: a suffix: any branch of knowledge; any science or academic field that ends in -ology which is a variant of -logy; one who speaks (in a certain manner); one who deals (with a certain topic); talk, speak)
The word -ology is a back-formation from the names of certain disciplines. The -logy element basically means "the study of ____". Such words are formed from Greek or Latin roots with the terminal -logy derived from the Greek suffix -λογια (-logia), speaking, from λεγειν (legein), "to speak". The suffix -ology is considered to be misleading as the "o" is actually part of the word stem that receives the -logy ending; such as, bio + logy.
Through the years -ology and -logy have come to mean, "study of" or "science of" and either of these suffixes often utilize the form of -ologist, "one who (whatever the preceding element refers to)".
The examples shown in this unit represent just a small fraction of the many words that exist in other units in this lexicon.
abiology
The study of non-living things.
abiophysiology
The study of inorganic processes, or inorganic activity, in living organisms.
acanthology
The study of spines, as in sea urchins or certain spiny-headed worms.
acology
1. The science of remedies; therapeutics.
2. The science and art of healing.
3. Materia medica; the science of remedies.
- Material or substance used in the composition of remedies; a general term for all substances used as curative agents in medicine.
- That branch of medical science which treats of the nature and properties of all the substances that are employed for the cure of diseases.
acropathology
The pathology of diseases affecting the extremities.
actinobiology
The study of the effects of radiation on living organisms.
actinology
1. The science of photochemistry or the science of the chemical effects of light.
2. The study of radiant energy.
acuology
The study of the use of needles for therapeutic purposes, as in acupuncture.
addictionology
The study and treatment of addictions.
aerobiology
1. The study of atmospheric constituents, living and nonliving, of biological significance; for example, airborne spores, pathogenic bacteria, allergenic substances, and pollutants.
2. That branch of biology which deals with the distribution of living organisms by the air, either the exterior or outdoor air (extramural aerobiology) or the indoor air (intramural aerobiology).
aerologist
1. A specialist in the branch of meteorology concerned with the study of air, especially in the upper atmosphere.
2. Someone who studies total atmospheric meteorology as opposed to surface-based applications.
aerosolology
The scientific study of aerosol therapy.
agriology, agriological
1. The comparative study of the history and customs of primitive, savage, or uncivilized people.
2. Description or comparative study of the customs of savage or uncivilized tribes.
agrobiology, agrobiological, agrobiologic
1. The study of the breeding, nutrition, and growth of crops, especially in relation to soil management.
2. The quantitative science of plant life and plant nutrition.
agrology
1. The branch of agriculture dealing with the science of soils.
2. The science of agricultural production.
3. Agricultural science that deals with the origin, structure, analysis, classification, etc., of soils, especially in relation to crop production.
Cross references of word families related directly, or indirectly, to: "talk, speak, speech; words, language; tongue, etc.":
cit-;
clam-;
dic-;
English Words: Origins and Histories;
fa-;
-farious;
glosso-;
glotto-;
lalo-;
linguo-;
locu-;
logo-;
loqu-;
mythico-;
ora-;
-phasia;
-phemia;
phon-;
phras-;
Quotes: Language,Part 1;
Quotes: Language, Part 2;
Quotes: Language, Part 3;
serm-;
tongue;
voc-.
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