The English suffix -ology or -logy denotes a field of study or academic discipline, and -ologist describes a person who studies that field. However not every field or study or discipline is an '-ology', for instance the study of childbirth is midwifery and a practitioner is a midwife.

Etymology

The word ology is a back-formation from the names of these disciplines. "-logy" 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), from λόγος (logos) and that from λέγω (lego), to speak. The word ology is thus misleading as the 'o' is actually part of the word stem that receives the -logy ending. For example, the bio part of biology stems from Greek βιος (bios), life. This is why some of the words do not end in -ology (such as mineralogy).

Other words ending in "ology"

Not all words ending in -ology are ologies in the above sense. In some words such as tautology, philology and haplology, the -logy suffix is from the Greek λογος (logos), word, and may denote something related to speech or text. Also called Emology for a scientific name.

Usage

Although technically incorrect, "-ology" is sometimes used to describe a subject rather than the study of it. Technology is a typical example. This usage is also widespread in medicine; for example, pathology is often used for specific disease ("We haven't found the pathology yet").

"Ology" can be appended to any word, humorously, when describing its study; such as beer-ology or Wiki-ology. As with other Classical compounds, adding "ology" to a Latin or Greek based prefix may be used to lend grandeur or the impression of scientific rigor to humble pursuits, as in cosmetology (hairdressing) or cynology (dog training.)

There are a few irregular exceptions to the ending "-ologist"; for example theology/theologian.

They can also refer to the 'Ology series of books, fictional encyclopedias, currently including Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons, Egyptology: Search for the Tomb of Osiris, Wizardology: The Secrets of Merlin, Pirateology: A Pirate Hunter's Companion, and Mythology: Greek Gods, Heroes, & Monsters.

See also

• classical compound
• -ism
• suffixes

List of -ologies and what they study

A

• Acarology, the study of ticks and mites
• Actinobiology, the study of the effects of radiation upon living organisms
• Actinology, the study of the effect of light on chemicals
• Aerobiology, a branch of biology that studies organic particles, such as bacteria, fungal spores, very small insects and pollen, which are passively transported by the air.
• Aerology, the study of the atmosphere
• Aetiology, the medical study of the causation of disease
• Agnoiology, the study of things of which we are by nature ignorant, or of things which cannot be known
• Agrobiology, the study of plant nutrition and growth in relation to soil conditions
• Agrology, the branch of soil science dealing with the production of crops. Synonymous with agricultural science in Canada.
• Agrostology, the study of grasses
• Algology, the study of algae
• Allergology, the study of the causes and treatment of allergies; a branch of medicine
• Andrology, the study of male health and disease
• Anesthesiology, the study of anesthesia and anesthetics; a branch of medicine
• Angelology, the study of angels
• Angiology, the study of the anatomy of blood and lymph vascular systems
• Anthropology, the study of humans
• Apiology, the study of bees (apiaries)
• Arachnology, the study of spiders and their kind
• Archaeology, the study of past cultures through the analysis of material remains
• Archaeozoology, the study of relationships between humans and animals over time through examination of animal remains at archaeological sites (also see Zooarchaeology)
• Areology, the study of Mars
• Assyriology, the study of the Assyrians
• Astacology, the study of crawfish
• Asteroseismology, the study of the internal structures of stars as revealed by their oscillations (see also Helioseismology).
• Astrobiology, the study of origin of life
• Astrogeology, the study of geology of celestial bodies (e.g., planets, asteroids, comets)
• Astrology, the study of the purported influence(s) of celestial bodies on earthly affairs
• Astrometeorology: using astrology to forecast the weather
• Atmology, the study of the laws and phenomena of aqueous vapors
• Audiology, the study of hearing; a branch of medicine
• Autecology, the study of the ecology of any individual species
• Autology, the attribute (of a word) of being self descriptive. The word "polysyllabic" is autological because it is polysyllabic. (compare heterology)
• Auxology, the study of human growth.
• Axiology, the study of the nature of values and value judgements

B

• Bacteriology, study of bacteria and germs
• Balneology, the science of the therapeutic use of baths
• Barodynamics, science of the support and mechanics of bridges
• Barology, study of gravitation
• Batology, the study of brambles
• Bibliology, study of books
• Bibliotics, study of documents to determine authenticity
• Bioecology, study of interaction of life in the environment
• Biology, study of life
• Biometrics, study of biological measurement
• Bionomics, study of organisms interacting in their environments
• Botany, study of plants
• Bromatology, study of food
• Brontology, scientific study of thunder

C

• Campanology, the study and the art of bell ringing
• Cardiology, the study of the heart
• Cariology, the study of cells
• Cereology, the study of crop circles
• Cartography, the study of maps and mapmaking
• Cetology, the study of cetaceans - whales, dolphins, and porpoise
• Characterology, the study of character
• Christology, the theological study of redemption (christos > christein: to sacrament), not only speaking of Christianity but also extended to religion in general
• Chorology, the study of the relationship of biological or other phenomena to their locations
• Chronology the study of things in order of time or the study of time
• Climatology, the study of the climate
• Codicology, the study of the preparation of books and manuscripts (ink, paper, vellum etc)
• Coleopterology, the study of beetles
• Coniology, the study of dust in the atmosphere and its effects on plants and animals, also spelled "koniology"
• Conchology, the study of shells and of molluscs
• Contrology, a neologism for the Pilates method, a system of physical exercise
• Cosmology, the study of the cosmos or our place in it
• Cosmetology, the study of cosmetics and their use
• Craniology, the study of the characteristics of the skull
• Criminology, the scientific study of crime
• Cryology, the study of very low temperatures and related phenomena.
• Cryptology, the study of how to encrypt and decrypt secret messages
• Cryptozoology, the study of animals that may or may not be mythical
• Cynology, the study of dogs
• Cytomorphology, the study of the structure of cells
• Cytology, the study of cells

D

• Deltiology, the study of, but more often the collecting of, picture postcards
• Demonology, the study of demons
• Dendrochronology, the study of the age of trees and the records in their rings
• Dendrology, the study of trees
• Deontology, in ethics, the study of duty.
• Dermatology, the field of medicine that deals with the skin
• Dermatopathology, the field of dermatological anatomical pathology
• Desmology, the study of ligaments
• Dialectology, the study of dialects
• Dipterology, the study of flies
• Diabetology, the study of diabetes mellitus
• Doxology, a liturgical expression of praise to God
• Dragonology, the study of dragons

E

• Ecclesiology, the study of Church architecture and decoration, or separately the study of the Christian Church
• Ecogeomorphology, or biogeomorphology, the study of interactions between organisms and geomorphological processes
• Ecohydrology, the study of interactions among organisms and the water cycle.
• Ecology, the study of the interrelationships between living organisms and their environment. Sometimes spelled "œcology".
• Economic geology is concerned with earth materials that can be utilized for economic and/or industrial purposes.
• Ecophysiology, the study of the interrelationship between an organism's physical functioning and its environment
• Edaphology, a branch of soil science that studies the influence of soil on life.
• Egyptology, the study of the ancient Egyptians
• Electrophysiology, the study of the relationship between electric phenomena and bodily processes
• Embryology, the study of embryos
• Emetology, the study or knowledge of emetics
• Endocrinology, the study of internal secretory glands
• Ecchinology, the study of cheeses.
• Enigmatology, the study of puzzles
• Enology (or Oenology), the study of wine and winemaking
• Entomology, the study of insects
• Enzymology, the study of enzymes
• Epidemiology, the study of the origin and spread of diseases
• Epistemology, the study of the nature and origins of knowledge
• Escapology, the practice of escaping from restraints or other traps.
• Eschatology, a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of mankind
• Ethnology, the study of race
• Ethnomusicology, the study of music in society, usually non-western music
• Ethology, the study of animal behaviour
• Etiology, same as Aetiology
• Etymology, the study of word origins
• Eulogy, the speech of praise
• Evolutionary biology, the study of the process of biological evolution
• Evolutionary psychology, the study of the process of (usually) human psychological evolution.
• Exobiology, the study of life in outer space

F

• Felinology, the study of cats
• Ferroequinology, the study of railways, particularly locomotives.
• Fetology, the study of the fetus, especially when within the uterus. Sometimes spelled foetology.
• Formicology, the study of ants
• Fungology, fungus + -ology, see mycology.
• Futurology, the study of the future

G

• Garbology - study of refuse and trash
• Gastrology or Gastroenterology - diseases of stomach and intestines
• Gemmology or Gemology, the study of gemstones and ornamental materials
• Genealogy (commonly misspelled and mispronounced as "geneology"), the study of relationships within families particularly with a view to constructing family trees
• Genecology, the study of genetic differences in relation to the environment
• Geobiology, the study of the biosphere and its relations to the lithosphere and atmosphere.
• Geochronology, the study of the age of the Earth
• Geology, the study of the Earth
• Geomorphology, the study of present-day landforms, traditionally on Earth but with increasing frequency on nearby planetary objects
• Gerontology, the study of old age
• Glaciology, the study of glaciers
• Grammatology, the study of writing systems. Also the study of deconstructive literary criticism, popularized in the 1960s by Jacques Derrida
• Graphology, the study of handwriting for the purpose of analysing the character of the writer
• Grossology, the study of gross (slang) and disgusting things. Fictional; book title
• Gynaecology or Gynecology, the study of medicine relating to women, or of women in general

H

• Hematology/Haematology, the study of blood
• Heliology, the study of the Sun
• Helioseismology, the study of vibrations and oscillations in the Sun
• Helminthology, the study of parasitic worms. See Vermeology.
• Hepatology, the study of the liver; a branch of medicine
• Herbology, the study of the therapeutic use of plants
• Herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians
• Heterology, the attribute (of a word) of not being self descriptive. The word "monosyllabic" is heterological because it is not monosyllabic. (compare autology)
• Heteroptology, the study of true bugs
• Hieroglyphology, Egyptian hieroglyphics, an ancient writing system
• Hierographology, the study of sacred texts
• Hierology, a more inclusive term for theology
• Hippology, study of horses
• Histology, the study of living tissues
• Histopathology, the study of the (microscopic) structure of diseased tissues
• Historiology, the study of the writings and practices of historians
• Homology, concept in anthropology, biology, algebraic topology, and sociology, meaning "likeness in structure"
• Horology, the study of making timepieces, measuring time and timekeeping (also the study of time)
• Hydrogeology, the study of underground water
• Hydrology, the study of water
• Hypnology, the study of sleep (also: somnology)

I

• Ichnology, the study of fossil footprints, tracks, and burrows
• Ichthyology, the study of fish
• Ideology, the study of ideas throughout society both socially,politically,historically and literary
• Immunology, the study of the immune system
• Indology, the study of the history, languages, and cultures of the Indian subcontinent
• Iranology, the study of history, literature, art and culture of Iran (Persia)
• Islamology, the study of the Islam

J

• Japanology, the study of Japanese people

K

• Karyology, the study of karyotypes (a branch of cytology)
• Killology, the study of human beings killing other human beings (Grossman's theory)
• Kinesiology, the study of movement in relation to human anatomy
• Kremlinology, the study of the Soviet Union
• Kymatology, the study of waves or wave motions

L

• Laryngology, the study of the larynx, or voice box; a branch of medicine
• Lepidopterology, the study of butterflies and moths
• Lexicology, the study of the signification and application of words
• Limnology, the study of fresh water environments, particularly lakes
• Lithology, the study of rocks
• Ludology, the study of video games
• Lymphology, the study of the lymph system and glands

M

• Malacology, the study of mollusks
• Mammalogy, the study of mammals
• Mereology, a branch of logic focusing on the study of part-whole relationships
• Meteorology, the study of weather
• Methodology, (properly) the study of methods
• Metrology, the study of measurement
• Microbiology, the study of micro-organisms.
• Micrology, the science of preparing and handling microscopic objects for study.
• Mineralogy, the study of minerals
• Missiology, the study of missions and missionary work
• Mixology, the study or skill of preparing mixed drinks.
• Molinology, the study of windmills, watermills and animal engines.
• Monadology, a book by Leibniz on the study of his theory of monads.
• Morphology, the study of forms that is used in several other fields (biology, linguistics, astronomy, etc.)
• Museology, the study of museum management.
• Musicology, the study of music
• Mycology, the study of fungi
• Myology the scientific study of muscles
• Myrmecology, the study of ants
• Mythology, the study of myths

N

• Nanotechnology, the study and design of machines at the molecular level
• Nanotribology, the study of friction on a very small (atomic) scale
• Nematology, the study of nematodes
• Neonatology, the study of diseases and the care of newborn infants; a branch of pediatrics/paediatrics
• Nephology, the study of clouds
• Nephrology, the study of the kidneys and their diseases, a branch of medicine
• Neurology, the study of nerves
• Neuropathology, the study of neural diseases
• Neurophysiology, the study of the functions of the nervous system
• Nosology, the study of disease classification
• Numerology, the study of numbers (often in a non-mathematical sense)
• Nutriology, the study of nutrition

O

• Oceanology, the study of oceans
• Odonatology, the study of dragonflies and damselflies
• Odontology, the study of the structure, development, and abnormalities of the teeth
• Oenology, the study of wine
• Omnology, the study of everything
• Oncology, the study of cancer
• Oneirology, the study of dreams
• Onomatology, the study of proper names
• Ontology, the study of existence
• Oology, the study of eggs
• Ophthalmology, the study of the eyes
• Organology, the study of musical instruments (not just organs); alternatively, the study of anatomical organs
• Ornithology, the study of birds
• Orology, the study of mountains and their mapping
• Orthopterology, the study of grasshoppers and crickets
• Osteology, the study of bones
• Otolaryngology, the study of the ear and throat; a branch of medicine
• Otology, the study of the structure, function, and pathology of the ear
• Otorhinolaryngology, the same as otolaryngology

P

• Paleoanthropology, the study of prehistoric people and human origins
• Paleobiology, the study of prehistoric life
• Paleobotany, the study of prehistoric metaphytes (i.e., multicellular plants)
• Paleoclimatology, the study of prehistoric climates
• Paleoecology, the study of prehistoric environments by analyzing fossils and rock strata
• Paleontology, the study of fossils of ancient life
• Paleophytology (see "paleobotany"), the study of ancient multicelled plants
• Paleozoology, the study of prehistoric metazoans (i.e., multicellular animals)
• Palynology, the study of pollen
• Parapsychology, the study of paranormal or psychic phenomenon that defy conventional scientific explanations
• Parasitology, the study of parasites
• Pathology, the study of illness
• Pedology (soil study), one of two main branches of soil science
• Pedology (children study)
• Penology, the study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation.
• Personology, a variant of physiognomy
• Petrology, the study of rocks and the conditions by which they form
• Pharmacology, the study of drugs
• Phenology, the study of periodic biological phenomena such as flowering, migration, breeding, etc.
• Phenomenology, the study and science of phenomena as distinct from the science of actual existence or being; also a movement founded by Husserl which studies conscious experience without its metaphysical concerns
• Philology, the study of a language together with its literature
• Phlebology, a branch of medicine that deals with the venous system
• Phonology, the study of vocal sounds
• Phrenology, the derivation of a persons character traits, by studying the shape of their skull
• Phycology, the study of algae
• Physiology, the study of mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms
• Phytology, the study of plants; botany
• Phytopathology ("Plant pathology"), the study of plant diseases
• Phytosociology, the study of the ecology of plant communities
• Piphilology, the mnemonic practice of writing sentences such that the numbers of letters in the words correspond to the consecutive digits of pi
• Planetology, the study of planets and solar systems; more commonly called Planetary science
• Planktology, the study of plankton
• Pneumology, a synonym of Pulmonology
• Pomology, the scientific study and cultivation of fruits
• Posology, the study of drug dosage
• Primatology, the study of primates
• Proctology, the study of the hind regions (rectum, anus, colon and pelvic floor) of the body
• Psephology, the study, especially statistical, of elections.
• Psychobiology, the study and psychology of organisms with regard to their functions and structures
• Psychology, the study of mental processes in living creatures
• Psychopathology, the study of the mental processes within mental illness or disorders
• Psychopharmacology, the study of psychotropic or psychiatric drugs
• Psychophysiology, the study of the physiological bases of psychological processes
• Pulmonology, the specialty in medicine that deals with diseases of the lungs and the respiratory tract

R

• Radiology, the study of rays, usually ionising radiation
• Redology, the study of the classical Chinese literary masterpiece Dream of the Red Chamber
• Reflexology, originally the study of reflexes or of reflex responses; but see also non-study list
• Rheology, the study of flow
• Rheumatology, the study of rheumatic diseases, a branch of medicine
• Rhinology, the study of the nose and its diseases
• Ripperology, the study of Jack the Ripper and the crimes associated with him
• RKOlogy , the study of RKOs

S

• Sarcology, a subsection of anatomy that studies the soft parts. It includes myology, angiology, neurology, and splanchnology
• Scatology, the study of feces
• Scientology, the applied study of science created by American writer L. Ron Hubbard
• Sedimentology, a branch of geology that studies sediments.
• Seismology, the study of earthquakes
• Selenology, the study of the moon
• Semiology, the study of signs
• Semitology, the study of Semitic cultures
• Serology, the study of blood serum
• Serpentology, the study of snakes
• Sexology, the study of sex
• Sindonology, the study of the Shroud of Turin
• Sinology, the study of China
• Sitiology, dietetics, the study of diet. Also, a treatise on diet. Also spelled "sitology"
• Sociology, the study of society
• Sociobiology, the study of the effect of evolution on ethology
• Somnology, the study of sleep, also: hypnology
• Somatology, study of human characteristics
• Soteriology the study of the doctrine of salvation, especially as related to Christianity
• Sovietology, the study of communist Soviet Union
• Speleology, the study or exploration of caves
• Splanchnology, the study of the viscera
• Sporalogy, a parody of astrology
• Stemmatology, a discipline that attempts to reconstruct the transmission of a text (especially a text in manuscript form) on the basis of relations between the various surviving manuscripts
• Stomatology, study of the mouth and its diseases.
• Sumerology, the study of the Sumerians.
• Symbology, the study and interpretation of symbols, or a set of symbols. Also used for types of barcodes
• Symptomatology, the study of symptoms
• Synecology, the study of the ecological interrelationships among communities of organisms
• Syphilology, the study of syphilis

T

• Taxology, a synonym for taxonomy
• Technology, the study of the practical arts (but see above)
• Teleology, the study of ends or final causes
• Teratology, the study of wonders, or monsters
• Terminology, the usage and study of terms.
• Thanatology, the study of physical, psychological and social problems associated with dying.
• Thermology, the study of heat.
• Theology, the study of God or gods
• Tibetology, the study of Tibet
• Tocology, the study of childbirth, sometimes spelled "tokology".
• Tonology, the study of intonation in speech
• Topology, the mathematical study of closeness and connectedness
• Toxicology, the study of poisons
• Traumatology, the study of wounds and injuries caused by accidents or assaults and their surgical treatment and repair; a branch of medicine
• Tribology, the study of friction and lubrication
• Trichology, the study of hair and the scalp
• Typology, the study of classification

U

• Ufology, the study of Unidentified flying object (UFO) phenomena.
• Universology, The science of the universe, and the relations which it involves.
• Unology, the science and study of unity in all of its forms.
• Uranology, The branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a whole.
• Urbanology, The study of urban problems, esp. as a social science.
• Urology, the study and treatment of diseases of the urogenital tract, a branch of medicine. Sometimes spelled "ourology".
• Uronology, That part of medicine which treats of urine.
• Uroradiology, Examination of the urinary tract by radiological techniques.

V

• Vaccinology, the study of vaccines
• Velology, the study of motor vehicle tax discs.^[1]
• Venereology, the study of venereal diseases
• Vexillology, the study of flags
• Victimology, the study of victims of crime, often applied to characterizing the criminal
• Virology, the study of viruses
• Volcanology (also spelled vulcanology), the study of volcanoes and related phenomena (traps)

X

• Xenobiology, the study of non-terrestrial life
• Xylology, the study of wood

Z

• Zooarchaeology, the study and analysis of animal remains at archaeological sites to reconstruct relationships between people, animals, and their environment (also see Archaeozoology)
• Zoology, the study of animals
• Zoopathology ("Animal pathology"), the study of animal diseases
• Zoopsychology, the study of mental processes in animals
• Zymology, the study of fermentation

Ologies that are not fields of study

Words ending in -ology that are not fields of study, and thus not "ologies" in the sense of this article, are:

• Anthology, a collection of literary pieces (such as poems).
• Apology
  • a statement of regret.
  • an explanation for or justification of beliefs.
• Arcology - enormous habitat (hyperstructure) of extremely high human population density.
• Chronology is the arrangement or setting out of past events in order of occurrence; the recording of historical events in date sequence.
• Cosmetology, the art and career of using cosmetics to improve beauty.
• Dilogy is
  • ambiguous or equivocal speech, or
  • a work composed in two parts (see trilogy)
• Docimology, a treatise on the art of testing, e.g. in assaying metals.
• Doxology, a spoken or sung end of a prayer.
• Eulogy, though not an -ology, is a commemoration of a person's life at his/her funeral.
• Hagiology is literature dealing with the life of a saint or, indeed, any revered person, a biography of an individual, rather than a study of saints, sainthood or saintliness in general.
• Heterology, a dissimilarity of parts often attributable to a difference in origin.
• Homology, a similarity often atributable to common origin
• Ideology, sometimes spelled idealogy, is a system of ideas about politics, human life or culture.
• Kibology, joke religion worshiping Kibo.
• Menology, a register of months, or a calendar of the lives of the saints for each day of the year.
• Necrology, a list of people who have died, especially in the recent past or during a specific period.
• Philology, the historical study of languages. This is not a ology in the strict sense, because it is not the study (-ologia) of love (philo-), but the love (philo-) of literature (logia).
• Phraseology is the way words are put together, therefore the style being used in a sentence, or the set of phrases or the choice of words used by any particular group of people, or a type of register that reflects the form of language used in a certain social situation in which particular subjects are being discussed.
• Piphilology seems to be a borderline case with some aspects of a field of study, but not a scientific discipline.
• Reflexology, alternative method of massage, therapy or pressure on certain points of the sole of the feet as a means of relieving nervous tension.
• Tautology, a self-affirming truth.
• Terminology, a set of words and/or phrases, usually in relation to some particular canon or field of study e.g. 'mathematical terminology'.
• Tetralogy of Fallot, an abnormality of the heart consisting of four deformities that often occur together.
• Trilogy (although not strictly an -ology) is a body of writing in three parts, as tetralogy is that in four parts. Other words such as pentalogy, hexalogy, heptalogy or septology, octology, nonology, and dekology cover larger series.
• Tropology, the use of tropes in speech or writing.
• A Zumology is a treatise on the fermentation of liquors.

References

External links

• What's OLogy?
• List of ologies
• Another list of ologies
• The famous British "ology" advert
• A list of science ologies

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Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "-logy". Image Credit.

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