Orogeny
/ɔːˈrɒdʒ.ə.ni/noun
The process by which mountains are formed, especially through tectonic plate collision and deformation.
Did you know?The word is a scientific coinage built from Greek roots, and its “-geny” ending comes from the same ancient idea behind “gene” and “genesis”: coming into being.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
GRK
oros
“mountain”
Ancient Greek
GRK
-genia / -genēs
“birth, origin, production”
19th Century
English
orogeny
“mountain-making or mountain formation”
Modern English
English
orogeny
“the process of mountain building, especially by tectonic forces”