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geology

[jee-ol-uh-jee]
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noun, plural ge·ol·o·gies.
  1. the science that deals with the dynamics and physical history of the earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the physical, chemical, and biological changes that the earth has undergone or is undergoing.
  2. the study of this science.
  3. the geologic features and processes occurring in a given region on the earth or on a celestial body: the geology of Mars; the geology of eastern Kentucky.
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Origin of geology

First recorded in 1680–90; geo- + -logy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

topography, geopolitics, geology, cartography, physiography, topology, chorography

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British Dictionary definitions for geology

geology

noun
  1. the scientific study of the origin, history, structure, and composition of the earth
  2. the geological features of a district or country
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Derived Formsgeological (ˌdʒɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl) or geologic, adjectivegeologically, adverbgeologist or geologer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for geology

n.

1735, from Modern Latin geologia "the study of the earth," from geo- "earth" + logia (see -logy). In Medieval Latin, geologia (14c.) meant "study of earthly things," i.e. law, as distinguished from arts and sciences, which concern the works of God. Darwin used geologize as a verb.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
geology in Science

geology

[jē-ŏl′ə-jē]
  1. The scientific study of the origin of the Earth along with its rocks, minerals, land forms, and life forms, and of the processes that have affected them over the course of the Earth's history.
  2. The structure of a specific region of the Earth, including its rocks, soils, mountains, fossils, and other features.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
geology in Culture

geology

The science devoted to the study of the Earth, particularly the solid Earth and the rocks that compose it.

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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.