zoology

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the branch of biology that studies animals

   I studied zoology for two semesters before I changed majors.

2. 2
   noun

   all the animal life in a particular region or period

   The zoology in this area is amazing.

3. 3
   noun

   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.

   Meronym: ethology

4. 4
   noun

   A treatise on this science.

Etymology

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