zoology definition

English

Wikiversity

Alternative forms

• zoölogy

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ζῷον (zôion, “animal”) + λόγος (lógos, “knowledge”). By surface analysis, zoo- +‎ -logy. Piecewise doublet of biology.

Pronunciation

• enPR: zō-ŏl′-ə-jē, zo͞o-ŏl′-ə-jē
• (UK) IPA^(key): /zəʊˈɒlədʒi/, /zuːˈɒləd͡ʒi/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /zoʊˈɑləd͡ʒi/, /zuˈɑləd͡ʒi/
• Rhymes: -ɒlədʒi

Noun

zoology (countable and uncountable, plural zoologies)

1. The part of biology relating to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct.
2. A treatise on this science.

Usage notes

The pronunciation in /zu-/ has often received negative comment, but has nevertheless become very common, especially in British English.

Derived terms

Translations