-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.
phlebology
1. The branch of medicine that deals with veins and their diseases.
2. The study of the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of veins; also called venology.
3. The study of the veins and the diseases affecting them.
2. The study of the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of veins; also called venology.
3. The study of the veins and the diseases affecting them.
The study of phobias: Gladys was so interested in the aversions and horrors that individuals have that she decided to look further into phobiology and learn more about all the different types of fears and loathings people exhibit.
phonologist
Someone who is a specialist in phonology.
phonology
1. Originally, the science of vocal sounds (phonetics); especially, of the sounds of a particular language. The study of pronunciation, transferring the system of sounds in a language. Now, that branch of linguistics that deals with sound systems, or with sound systems and phonetics; the study of the sound system of a particular language. The ensemble for a particular individual speaker is referred to as his/her phonological system.
2. The analysis and description of speech sounds in terms of the linguistic systems in which they function.
3. The study of the elements and principles that determine the overall sound patterns of a language, including phonetics and phonemics.
2. The analysis and description of speech sounds in terms of the linguistic systems in which they function.
3. The study of the elements and principles that determine the overall sound patterns of a language, including phonetics and phonemics.
phorologist
An expert in tracing the origin of epidemics; especially, outbreaks due to disease carriers.
phorology
The study of the role of carriers in conveying diseases.
photobiology
1. The study of the effects of light on living things.
2. That part of biology designed to destroy tissues with a concentrated light beam; such as, a laser.
2. That part of biology designed to destroy tissues with a concentrated light beam; such as, a laser.
photology
1. A branch of physics that deals with light or the study of light and its effects.
2. That science concerned with the production of light and energy; especially, regarding therapeutic applications.
2. That science concerned with the production of light and energy; especially, regarding therapeutic applications.
photopharmacology
The study of the effects of light and other radiations on drugs and on their pharmacological action.
phraseologist
1. A collector or coiner (creator) of phrases.
2. A person who treats of, or is concerned with, phraseology.
3. Someone who affects a particular phraseology or is skilled in coining phrases.
2. A person who treats of, or is concerned with, phraseology.
3. Someone who affects a particular phraseology or is skilled in coining phrases.
phraseology
1. The manner in which something is expressed in words.
2. The way words and phrases are chosen or used.
3. The way in which words and phrases are used in speech or writing; a certain style.
4. A set of expressions used by a particular person or group; such as, legal, or political, phraseology.
2. The way words and phrases are chosen or used.
3. The way in which words and phrases are used in speech or writing; a certain style.
4. A set of expressions used by a particular person or group; such as, legal, or political, phraseology.
phreatobiology
The study of ground-water organisms.
phrenologist
One who practices phrenology.
1. The theory that mental faculties or character can be determined by the location of bumps and other topographical features on the skull: In phrenology a protuberance here might indicate intelligence, a lump there, willpower, etc.
2. The scientific study of the conformation or shape of the head, or cranium, based on a belief that it is indicative of a person's intellectual abilities and skills: Now nobody really believes that the shape of our heads is a window into our personalities or intelligence, as is presented in phrenology.
3. Etymology: from Greek phren, "mind" + -logos, "knowledge".
© ALL rights are reserved.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
2. The scientific study of the conformation or shape of the head, or cranium, based on a belief that it is indicative of a person's intellectual abilities and skills: Now nobody really believes that the shape of our heads is a window into our personalities or intelligence, as is presented in phrenology.
3. Etymology: from Greek phren, "mind" + -logos, "knowledge".
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
phretobiology
The study of organisms in water tanks.
Cross references of word families related directly, or indirectly, to: "talk, speak, speech; words, language; tongue, etc.":
cit-;
clam-;
dic-;
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-.
