-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.
parasitology
The science or study of parasites and parasitism.
parthenology
The part of physiology which deals with virginity.
pathematology
(s) (noun) (no pl)
1. Another expression for pathology: Pathematology is used especially in the field of psychopathology whereby mental and behavioral disorders are researched.
2. In philosophy, the doctrine of the effects on the mind of pleasure and pain: The principle of pathematology refers mainly to the impact of emotions or passions on an individual.
pathobiology
(s) (noun), pathobiologies
(pl)
The branch of biology that relates to pathology: Pathobiology places more importance on the biological than on the medical aspects of research.
pathological anthropology
(s) (noun) (no pl)
The study of diseases in humans from the viewpoint of its differential distribution among groups of people: Ever since Jack was in college, he was always interested in different cultures and various illnesses over the world, and so he decided to go into the field of pathological anthropology and do research after finishing his education.
pathologist
(s) (noun), pathologists
(pl)
A medical doctor who specializes in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope: A pathologist is an expert who strives to determine the essential nature of diseases, especially of the changes in body tissues and organs that cause or are caused by diseases.
pathology
1. The study of the nature of diseases with regard to structural and functional changes.
2. The branch of medical science that studies the origin, nature, and course of diseases.
3. Pathology was originally the study of “suffering”.
pathophysiology
(s) (noun), pathophysiologies
(pl)
The physiological process connected with a disease, an injury, or a disordered function:
Pathophysiology is the research of developments of ailments, including the disturbance of a function that a disease causes in an organ, as distinct from any changes in structure that might be caused.
Pathophysiology is also concerned with a deranged function in an individual or an organ that is due to a disease.
pathopsychology
(s) (noun) (no pl)
The psychology of mental illnesses: Jack was interested in the mental ailments of people which were caused by infections and other disorders, so he decided to specialize in pathopsychology
patrology
The study of the writings of the Fathers (of the Church), patristics; a treatise on these writings.
patronomatology
The study of the origin of personal names; especially, from the father.
pedodontology, pediadontology
(s) (noun); pedodontologies, pediadontologies
(pl)
The study of the care of children's teeth.
pedologist, paidologist
(s) (noun); pedologists, paidologists
(pl)
A person who studies children and their behavior.
pedology
1. Study of the structure and formation of soils; soil science.
2. The scientific study of soils, including their origins, characteristics, and classifications.
pedology, paidology
(s) (noun); pedologyies, paidologies
(pl)
1. The study of the nature of children.
2. A rarely used term for the branch of biology and of sociology concerned with the child in his or her physical, mental, and social development.
3. In psychiatry, infantile or childish speech that omits all but the principal words and substitutes easily pronounced sounds for more difficult ones; baby talk.
