zoosemiotics

American  

[zoh-uh-see-mee-ot-iks, -see-mahy-, -sem-ee-, -sem-ahy-] / ˌzoʊ əˌsi miˈɒt ɪks, -ˌsi maɪ-, -ˌsɛm i-, -ˌsɛm aɪ- /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the study of the sounds and signals used in animal communication, as song in birds or tail-wagging in dogs.

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Etymology

Origin of zoosemiotics

First recorded in 1960–65; zoo- + semiotics

Example Sentences

I study zoosemiotics and ethology, and the critical links between human demographic pressure and the diverse, remaining habitats on Earth.

From Forbes • Dec. 2, 2011