cosmogony
Americannoun
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cosmogonies
plural
noun
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the study of the origin and development of the universe or of a particular system in the universe, such as the solar system
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a theory of such an origin or evolution
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Derived Forms
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Etymology
Origin of cosmogony
First recorded in 1860–65, cosmogony is from the Greek word kosmogonía creation of the world. See cosmo-, -gony
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Vocabulary lists containing cosmogony
Elements of the Universe: Cosm, Cosmo ("Universe")
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Human Geography - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
If there is no testable means of determining which creation cosmogony is correct, perhaps they are all astounding science fictions.
From Scientific American ● Oct. 20, 2011
He threw in a few references to physics, anthropology, cosmogony and medicine.
From Time Magazine Archive
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It is interesting, however, as revealing their notions of cosmogony, the division of the day into quartads, and their impressions of general geography.
From Algic Researches, Comprising Inquiries Respecting the Mental Characteristics of the North American Indians, Vol. 2 of 2 Indian Tales and Legends by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
The document, however, that gives the most valuable information as to the cosmogony of the Mexicans is one known as "Codex Vaticanus," from the library where it is preserved.
From The Contemporary Review, Volume 36, November 1879 by Various
It must be admitted that, in the few meagre and imperfect accounts which we have of the notions of cosmogony entertained by the American nations, we have no distinct allusion to it.
From Ophiolatreia An Account of the Rites and Mysteries Connected with the Origin, Rise, and Development of Serpent Worship in Various Parts of the World by Anonymous
Whole cosmogonies will be created out of some forgotten personal resentment, complete epics written in private languages, the daubs of schoolchildren ranked above the greatest masterpieces.
From Time Magazine Archive
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The great civilized nations, with their well-formed anthropomorphic deities, have constructed elaborate cosmogonies, which commonly begin with the conception of an unshaped mass of material out of which the gods arise and create the world.
From Introduction to the History of Religions Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume IV by Morris Jastrow
It would be strange if the ancient nations should have no truth in their cosmogonies.
From The Christian Foundation, Or, Scientific and Religious Journal, February, 1880 by Aaron Walker
Babylonian and Israelitish.—Of the Babylonian and Israelitish cosmogonies we have several more or less complete records.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 4 "Coquelin" to "Costume" by Various
Compare his narrative with the cosmogonies of the ancient nations.
From The Christian Foundation, Or, Scientific and Religious Journal, February, 1880 by Aaron Walker
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.