Merology
/mɪˈrɒlədʒi/noun
The study of parts, wholes, and the relationships between them.
Did you know?Merology’s root is the ancient Greek word meros, meaning “part,” which also appears in scientific words such as polymer and isomer.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mer-
“To divide, allot, or receive a share; the reconstructed root associated with Greek meros.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
meros
“A part, portion, share, or division of a whole.”
19th Century
Greek/English
mereology
“A learned formation combining Greek meros, “part,” with -logia, “study” or “account.””
Early 20th Century
English
mereology
“A philosophical discipline concerned with part–whole relations.”
20th Century
English
merology
“A variant or shortened form referring to the study of parts and wholes.”
Modern English
English
merology
“The analysis of how entities, parts, and wholes are related.”