Malacology
/ˌmæl.əˈkɒl.ə.dʒi/noun
The branch of zoology concerned with mollusks such as snails, clams, and octopuses.
Did you know?Malacology comes from Greek malakos, meaning “soft,” because mollusks were traditionally recognized for their soft bodies, even when protected by hard shells.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*melǵ-
“To soften or make yielding”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μαλακός (malakos)
“Soft, tender, or weak”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μαλακόν (malakon)
“A soft-bodied creature or mollusk”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Malacologia
“The scientific study of mollusks”
19th Century
English
malacology
“The zoological study of mollusks”
Modern English
English
malacology
“The scientific study of snails, clams, octopuses, and related animals”