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 the study of the origin and distribution of minerals and rocks in the earth's crust: superseded generally by the term geology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

• geognostic adjective
• geognostical adjective
• geognostically adverb

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

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

Second, all of my life I have made a profound study of geognosy and geotectonic geology.

From The Desert Valley by Gregory, Jackson

In the study of formations, which is the great end of geognosy, the knowledge acquired in the old and new worlds should be made to furnish reciprocal aid to each other.

From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 1 by Ross, Thomasina