Paleontology
/ˌpeɪliˈɒn.tɒl.ə.dʒi/noun
The scientific study of prehistoric life through fossils.
Did you know?The -logy in paleontology comes from Greek logos, “word, reason, study,” so the name itself literally frames fossils as something to be interpreted, almost like a buried message.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
palaios
“ancient, old”
Ancient Greek
Greek
on, ontos
“being, that which is”
Ancient Greek
Greek
logos
“word, reason, account, study”
19th Century
French
paléontologie
“the study of ancient fossil life”
19th Century
English
paleontology
“the scientific study of fossils and prehistoric life”
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