-ology, -logy, -ologist, -logist
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.
A scientific study about the Amphibia; that part of zoology that refers to animals that function as they exist on both land and in water.
Of doubtful meaning or an obscure expression; especially, a grammatical construction, as in "save rags and waste paper".
A descriptive term for a statement that has a doubtful meaning: "The amphibologically written words by the student were confusing to both the teacher and to the other class members who heard the sentence, both men and women should dress in the latest styles."
amphibology
(s) (noun), amphibologies
(pl)
A phrase or sentence that can be interpreted in two ways, usually because of the grammatical construction rather than the meanings of the words themselves: "The phrase, the boy on the chair with a broken leg, is an example of amphibology."
Referring to a grammatical structure that has two interpretations or is equivocal: "When someone communicates an amphibolous statement, it is regarded as being ambiguous which means it is either an intentional or an unintentional failure to be precise or definite."
"This amphibolous statement, Dick and Kirby took his sister and her friend to the school dance, but they didn't want to dance, presents problems: To whom does his refer to, Dick or Kirby? And who are they, the two girls or all four of the confused people?"
anaesthesiology, anesthesiology
(s) (noun) (no pl)
A branch of medicine specializing in the use of drugs, or other agents, that cause insensibility to pain: The medical field of
anesthesiology requires competency in general medicine, a broad understanding of surgical procedures, and a comprehensive knowledge of clinical obstetrics, chest medicine, neurology, pediatrics, pharmacology, biochemistry, cardiology, and cardiac and respiratory physiology.
Anesthesiology may also be defined as "continuity of patient care" involving preoperative evaluation, intraoperative, and postoperative care and the management of systems and personnel that support these activities.
anatomic pathology
(s) (noun), anatomic pathologies
(pl)
1. A medical specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis of diseases that are based on the normally visible, microscopic, and molecular examination of organs, tissues, and whole bodies: An anatomic pathology is an autopsy that is done after a person's death.
2. The anatomical investigation of changes in the function, structure, or appearance of organs, or tissues, including postmortem examinations and the study of biopsy specimens: Judy was especially interested in the nature of diseases and their causes, so she decided to specialize in anatomic pathology in medical school.
andrologist
(s) (noun), andrologists
(pl)
Doctors who specialize in men's health, aging problems, or in treating infertile men: "Andrologists have been tending to men's health woes for decades."
1. The branch of medicine concerned with diseases peculiar to the male sex, particularly infertility and sexual dysfunction.
2. Scientific study of the masculine constitution and of the diseases of the male gender; especially, the study of diseases of the male organs of generation or reproductive systems.
anemology
(s) (noun) (no pl)
The scientific study and investigation of the movements of air in natural conditions: The government officials invited three specialists in
anemology to complete a study relating to the use of wind turbines.
© ALL rights are reserved.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
anencephalology
(s) (noun)
The science of congenital absence of the brain and cranial vault.
anesthesiologist
(s) (noun), anesthesiologists
(pl)
1. A physician or, less often, a dentist who specializes in the practice of medicine involving the use of drugs or other agents that cause insensibility to pain: Before Robert's root canal operation, Dr. Jones, the dentist and a trained
anesthesiologist, administered a local medication so the patient would feel no pain.
2. A physician who specializes in the administration of pain killers in order to prevent or to cause an insensibility to pain during surgery, birth labor and delivery, or other medical procedures: An
anesthesiologist has a medical doctorate whereas an anesthetist does not. An anesthetist is a nurse, or technician, trained to administer anesthetics.
Among some hospital workers, anesthesiologists are known as the "dream team".
-Anonymous
anesthesiology
(s) (noun), anesthesiologies
(pl)
The art and science of the proper administration of drugs to produce a loss of sensation and their effects: Bruce's doctor was a specialist in
anesthesiology and she made it possible for him to have a painless surgery.
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he (God) took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
-From the Bible, the book of Genesis 2:21-22
angelology
(s) (noun), angelologies
(pl)
1. The doctrine or discourse concerning angels.
2. The study of angels.
angiologist
(s) (noun), angiologists
(pl)
1. A specialist in the practice of blood and lymph vessels of the body.
2. A doctor who specializes in the knowledge of blood and lymph vessels.
