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ophiology

[ of-ee-ol-uh-jee, oh-fee- ]
/ ˌɒf iˈɒl ə dʒi, ˌoʊ fi- /
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noun
the branch of herpetology dealing with snakes.
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Origin of ophiology

1810–20; <Greek óphi(s) snake + -o- + -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM ophiology

oph·i·o·log·i·cal [of-ee-uh-loj-i-kuhl, oh-fee-], /ˌɒf i əˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl, ˌoʊ fi-/, oph·i·o·log·ic, adjectiveoph·i·ol·o·gist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT OPHIOLOGIST

What is an ophiologist?

An ophiologist is a scientist who studies snakes.

The study of snakes is called ophiology, which is a branch of herpetology, the study of amphibians and reptiles. While most herpetologists study a variety of amphibians and reptiles, ophiologists focus specifically on snakes.

Example: The ophiologist said that the Malagasy Leaf-Nosed Snake is the strangest snake he has ever identified.

Where does ophiologist come from?

The first records of the term ophiologist come from around the 1820s. It combines the Greek ophio-, meaning “snakelike,” and the suffix –logist, meaning “person who is knowledgeable in.”

One of the main tasks of ophiologists is to identify new species of snakes and try to determine as much as they can about them, such as where they live the most, whether their biology or behavior differs from other, similar snake species, and whether they are dangerous to humans.

Some ophiologists study a sub-branch called ethno-ophiology, which is the study of human and snake interactions. They study these interactions in relation to culture and the ecosystem.

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How is ophiologist used in real life?

Ophiology is mostly used only in zoology.

 

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True or False?

Ophiologists are a specific type of herpetologists.

British Dictionary definitions for ophiology

ophiology
/ (ˌɒfɪˈɒlədʒɪ) /

noun
the branch of zoology that is concerned with the study of snakes

Derived forms of ophiology

ophiological (ˌɒfɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjectiveophiologist, noun

Word Origin for ophiology

C19: from Greek ophis snake + -logy
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
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