ethology
|e-tho-lo-gy|
🇺🇸
/ɪˈθɑːlədʒi/
🇬🇧
/ɪˈθɒlədʒi/
study of (animal) behaviour
Etymology
'ethology' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'ethos' and 'logia', where 'ethos' meant 'character, custom' and 'logia' (from 'logos') meant 'study' or 'discourse'.
'ethology' was formed from Greek elements (Greek 'ethos' + Greek 'logia') via New Latin/Modern scientific coinage 'ethologia' into the modern English word 'ethology'.
Initially it referred broadly to 'the study of character or custom,' but over time it evolved to mean specifically 'the scientific study of animal behaviour' in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the scientific study of animal behaviour, especially in natural conditions; a branch of biology and comparative psychology.
Ethology has provided key insights into animal communication and mating systems.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the characteristic pattern of behaviour of an individual or species (used less commonly).
Researchers described the ethology of the newly observed bird species in the report.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/21 19:30