patrology

[puh-trol-uh-jee]

noun

plural

patrologies 

1. Also called patristics. the branch of theology dealing with the teachings of the church fathers.

2. a collection of the writings of the early church fathers.

patrology

/ pəˈtrɒlədʒɪ, ˌpætrəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the study of the writings of the Fathers of the Church

2. a collection of such writings

Other Word Forms

• patrologist noun
• patrological adjective
• patrologic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of patrology¹

From the New Latin word patrologia, dating back to 1590–1600. See patri-, -o-, -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of patrology¹

C17: from Greek patr-, patēr father + _-logy

Example Sentences

It is clear that in the circumstances the terms “father,” “patristic,” “patrology” must be used with much elasticity, since it is now too late to substitute for them any more comprehensive terms.

From Project Gutenberg

It reached its climax, as we should expect to find, in the heroic writers of the fourth century, the golden era of patrology.

From Project Gutenberg

Associated words: patristic, patristics, patrology, patrist. churchly, a. ecclesiastical. church officer. vestryman, warden, presbyter, trustee. churl, n. rustic, hind, bumpkin, lout, boor. churlish, a. boorish, rude, morose, unamiable. chyle, n.

From Project Gutenberg