Chrematology
/ˌkrɛm.əˈtɒl.ə.dʒi/noun
The study of wealth, money, or economic activity.
Did you know?Aristotle used the related Greek term chrēmatistikē for the art of acquiring wealth, distinguishing it from household management and accusing limitless profit-seeking of becoming unnatural.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gherh₁-
“A proposed root associated with needing, wanting, or using; the deeper ancestry of Greek chrēma is not completely certain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
χρῆμα (chrēma)
“A thing, matter, possession, or—especially in the plural χρήματα—money and wealth.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
χρηματιστική (chrēmatistikē)
“The art or practice of acquiring wealth; a term famously discussed by Aristotle.”
19th Century
English
chrematology
“A learned English formation from Greek chrēma, “money or things,” and -logia, “study or discourse.””
Modern English
English
chrematology
“The study of wealth, money, or economic activity.”
Explore more surprising origins