-ology, -logy, -ologist, -logist
(Greek: a suffix meaning: to talk, to speak; a branch of knowledge; any science or academic field that ends in -ology which is a variant of -logy; a person who speaks in a certain manner; someone who deals with certain topics or subjects)
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 sometimes as when 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 various dictionaries.
2. The science of olfactory disorders.
2. The study of odors, their productions, and their effects.
2. The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose, and throat.
A medical and surgical specialty concerned with the diagnosis, management, and treatment of diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT) and related structures of the head and neck, including the sinuses, larynx (voice box), oral cavity, and upper pharynx (mouth and throat).
Subspecialty areas within otolaryngology include pediatric otolaryngology (children), otology/neurotology (ears, balance, and tinnitus), allergy, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, head and neck, laryngology (throat), and rhinology (nose).
Otolaryngology is commonly called ENT by medical specialists in these fields. It is said to be the oldest medical specialty in the United States.
2. A branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and medical treatment and surgery of the ear, and its anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
The words ear, nose, and throat are quite clear; however, and that is what is meant by oto–, rhino–, and laryngo–, which are the translations of “ear”, “nose”, and “larynx" or "upper part of the windpipe”; respectively, when used in combination in various word forms.
