zoology

Where does the word "zoology" come from? It comes from Greek zoon, passing through New Latin before entering English (1660s).

Zoology’s story begins in Greek: zoon meant “animal, living being.” The root of 'zoo' and 'protozoa'. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in New Latin as zoologia. Formed from Greek zoon (animal) and -logia (study of). It reached English by 1660s as zoology. Settled as the English word for the scientific study of animals. Today, zoology means the scientific study of animals and animal life.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient zoon "animal, living being", the root of 'zoo' and 'protozoa'.
2. Stage 2 · New Latin · 1600s zoologia "the study of animals", formed from Greek zoon (animal) and -logia (study of).
3. Stage 3 · English · 1660s zoology "the scientific study of animals", settled as the English word for the scientific study of animals.