Pneumatology
/ˌnjuː.məˈtɒl.ə.dʒi/noun
The study of spirit or spirits, especially in theology and philosophy.
Did you know?Its first root, Greek pneuma, could mean breath, wind, or spirit, which is why so many ancient traditions treated breath as the sign of a living soul.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
pneûma
“breath, wind, spirit, life force”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-logía
“study, discourse, account”
Late Greek / Early Christian
Greek
pneumatología
“discourse or study concerning spirit or the Holy Spirit”
17th Century
English
pneumatology
“the study of spirits or spiritual beings, especially in theology”
Modern English
English
pneumatology
“the study of spirit, spiritual beings, or the Holy Spirit”