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speleology

or spe·lae·ol·o·gy

[spee-lee-ol-uh-jee]
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noun
  1. the exploration and study of caves.
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Origin of speleology

1890–95; < Latin spēlae(um) (see spelaean) + -o- + -logy
Related formsspe·le·o·log·i·cal [spee-lee-uh-loj-i-kuh l] /ˌspi li əˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, adjectivespe·le·ol·o·gist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for speleologist

speleology

spelaeology

noun
  1. the scientific study of caves, esp in respect of their geological formation, flora and fauna, etc
  2. the sport or pastime of exploring caves
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Derived Formsspeleological or spelaeological (ˌspiːlɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjectivespeleologist or spelaeologist, noun

Word Origin

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
speleologist in Science

speleology

[spē′lē-ŏl′ə-jē]
  1. The exploration and scientific study of the geological and ecological features of caves.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.