herpetology

[ hur-pi-tol-uh-jee ]

See synonyms for: herpetological on Thesaurus.com

noun

the branch of zoology dealing with reptiles and amphibians.

Origin of herpetology

1815–25; <Greek herpetó(n) a creeping thing (Compare hérpein to creep) + -logy; cf. serpent

Other words from herpetology

her·pe·to·log·ic [hur-pi-tl-oj-ik], /ˌhɜr pɪ tlˈɒdʒ ɪk/, her·pe·to·log·i·cal, adjective
her·pe·to·log·i·cal·ly, adverb
her·pe·tol·o·gist, noun

Words Nearby herpetology

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use herpetology in a sentence

Reports on the ichthyology and herpetology of Massachusetts.
Natural History of the Racer Coluber constrictor | Henry S. Fitch
Thirteenth contribution to the herpetology of tropical America.
Middle American Frogs of the Hyla microcephala Group | William E. Duellman
Then he was taken with a fit of herpetology in his boots, and sank to advise no more.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 1, Saturday, April 2, 1870 | Various
herpetology, her-pet-ol′oj-i, n. the branch of natural history which treats of reptiles.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) | Various
Her′petoid, serpent-like; Herpetolog′ic, -al, pertaining to herpetology.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) | Various

British Dictionary definitions for herpetology

herpetology

/ (ˌhɜːpɪˈtɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the study of reptiles and amphibians

Origin of herpetology

C19: from Greek herpeton creeping animal, from herpein to creep

Derived forms of herpetology

herpetologic (ˌhɜːpɪtəˈlɒdʒɪk) or herpetological, adjective
herpetologically, adverb
herpetologist, 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

Scientific definitions for herpetology

herpetology

[ hûr′pĭ-tŏl′ə-jē ]

The scientific study of reptiles and amphibians.

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