Melittology
/ˌmɛlɪˈtɒlədʒi/noun
The scientific study of bees.
Did you know?The Greek word melitta meant both “bee” and, through its ancient honey association, evoked the sweetness that shaped several later scientific and medical terms.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*melit-
“Honey; the reconstructed root behind Greek and Latin honey-related words.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέλι (meli)
“Honey.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέλιττα (melitta) / μέλισσα (melissa)
“Bee; dialectal forms associated with the honey-producing insect.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-λογία (-logia)
“A field of study or systematic account, from logos, “word, discourse, or account.””
19th Century
Scientific English
melittology
“A scientific term formed from Greek melitta, “bee,” and -logy, “study of.””
Modern English
English
melittology
“The specialized study of bees, including their biology, behavior, classification, and ecology.”
Explore more surprising origins