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ichthyology

American  
[ik-thee-ol-uh-jee] / ˌɪk θiˈɒl ə dʒi /

noun

  1. the branch of zoology dealing with fishes.


ichthyology British  
/ ˌɪkθɪəˈlɒdʒɪk, ˌɪkθɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

  1. the study of the physiology, history, economic importance, etc, of fishes

"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

ichthyology Scientific  
/ ĭk′thē-ŏlə-jē /
  1. The scientific study of fish.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of ichthyology

First recorded in 1640–50; ichthyo- + -logy

Explanation

When you want to get schooled on how schools of fish live, breath, and migrate, you're diving right into what zoologists specializing in the study of fish call ichthyology. Strap on your scuba gear and dive to the bottom of the ocean and you'll be in a sweet spot for any ichthyology expert. With its origins in the Greek word ikhthus, meaning "fish" and the suffix -ology, or "the study of," ichthyology stretches as far back as the Stone Age — when studying fish meant having something to bring home for dinner.

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Vocabulary lists containing ichthyology

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.

Katherine Maslenikov, the museum’s ichthyology collections manager, was hesitant when Wood first approached her with the idea.

From Scientific American • May 18, 2022

“It is very strange, and it’s the talk of the town among us California ichthyologists,” or zoologists who study fish, said Bill Ludt, assistant curator of ichthyology at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2021

He persevered, and wound up managing the museum’s ichthyology collection.

From New York Times • Jun. 18, 2021

Richard Pyle, a senior curator of ichthyology at the Bishop Museum, said Dr. Randall was a generous mentor and among the most prolific ichthyologists of all time.

From Washington Post • Apr. 30, 2020

We stayed on watch before the lounge windows, and our notes enable me to reconstruct, in a few words, the ichthyology of this sea.

From Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Walter, F. P.

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