Dictionary.com

speleology

or spe·lae·ol·o·gy

[ spee-lee-ol-uh-jee ]
/ ˌspi liˈɒl ə dʒi /
Save This Word!

noun
the exploration and study of caves.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of speleology

1890–95; <Latin spēlae(um) (see spelaean) + -o- + -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM speleology

spe·le·o·log·i·cal [spee-lee-uh-loj-i-kuhl], /ˌspi li əˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, adjectivespe·le·ol·o·gist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for speleology

speleology

spelaeology

/ (ˌspiːlɪˈɒlədʒɪ) /

noun
the scientific study of caves, esp in respect of their geological formation, flora and fauna, etc
the sport or pastime of exploring caves

Derived forms of speleology

speleological or spelaeological (ˌspiːlɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjectivespeleologist or spelaeologist, noun

Word Origin for speleology

C19: from Latin spēlaeum cave
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 speleology

speleology
[ spē′lē-ŏlə-jē ]

The exploration and scientific study of the geological and ecological features of caves.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK