physiologist
|phi-si-ol-o-gist|
🇺🇸
/ˌfɪziˈɑlədʒɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˌfɪzɪˈɒlədʒɪst/
person who studies bodily functions
Etymology
'physiologist' originates from Modern Latin/Greek, specifically from the New Latin word 'physiologia' and the Greek roots 'physis' meaning 'nature' and 'logos' meaning 'study', with the agent suffix '-ist' (one who practices).
'physiologist' changed from Greek 'physis' + 'logos' → New Latin 'physiologia' → French/English 'physiology', and the English agent-forming suffix '-ist' was added to form 'physiologist'.
Initially related to 'the study of nature' (Greek sense of 'physis'), over time it narrowed to 'the study of the functions of living organisms', and 'physiologist' came to mean 'a specialist who studies those functions'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a scientist who studies physiology — the functions and processes of living organisms and their parts, especially the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of organs and tissues.
The physiologist measured how the muscles respond to prolonged exercise.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/22 18:21