geognosy

American  

[jee-og-nuh-see] / dʒiˈɒg nə si /

noun

1. Archaic. a science dealing with the constituent parts of the earth, its envelope of air and water, its crust, and the condition of its interior.

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geognosy British  

/ ˌdʒiːɒɡˈnɒstɪk, dʒɪˈɒɡnəsɪ /

noun

1. the study of the origin and distribution of minerals and rocks in the earth's crust: superseded generally by the term geology

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• geognostically
  adverb
• geognostical
  adjective
• geognostic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of geognosy

1785–95; < French géognosie, equivalent to géo- geo- + -gnosie < Greek gnôsis knowledge

Example Sentences

Teneriffe: peak of. camels of. island of. temperature of. botanical gardens of. geognosy of. fruits and plants of. aborigines of. feudal government of.

From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 3 by Humboldt, Alexander von

Recession above the present position of the Falls—The Falls will be higher as they recede—Reason why—Professor Tyndall's prediction—Present and former accumulations of rock—Terrific power of the elements—Ice and ice bridges—Remarkable geognosy of the lake region.

From The Falls of Niagara and Other Famous Cataracts by Holley, George W.

In taking a general view of the geological constitution of a chain of mountains, we may distinguish five elements of direction too often confounded in works of geognosy and physical geography.

From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 3 by Humboldt, Alexander von

Seale, Mr., geognosy of St. Helena. -on dikes. -on embedded birds' bones.

From Volcanic Islands by Darwin, Charles

We cannot help asking what business have paper money and political economy and geognosy here?

From Among My Books First Series by Lowell, James Russell