Angelology
/ˌeɪn.dʒəˈlɒl.ə.dʒi/noun
The study of angels.
Did you know?The word is a modern scholarly formation, but its roots go back to Greek angelos, meaning “messenger,” the same root behind the idea of an angel as a divine courier rather than a winged fantasy icon.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ángelos
“messenger”
Late Greek / Early Christian
Greek
angelología
“discourse or writing about angels”
Medieval Latin
Latin
angelologia
“treatise on angels”
19th Century
English
angelology
“the study or doctrine of angels”
Modern English
English
angelology
“the systematic study of angels”
Explore more surprising origins