bible-study
UK[ˈbaɪbl̩ ˌstʌdi]US[ˈbaɪbl̩ ˌstʌdi]
n
The activity or process of learning about the Bible, its teachings, and its meaning, often done in a group.
Morpheme Breakdown
bible
study
bible
sacred book
study
learning
Etymology
The compound 'bible-study' is a modern English formation combining two words of ancient lineage. 'Bible' originates from the Greek 'ta biblia', meaning "the books," referring specifically to the Christian scriptures. 'Study' descends from the Latin 'studium', which conveyed eagerness, dedication, and application to learning. When combined in the 19th/20th centuries, the term logically denotes the dedicated application of learning specifically to the biblical texts, shifting from a general scholarly pursuit to a focused religious practice. The formation follows a transparent English pattern of noun-noun compounding, where the first element specifies the domain of the activity named by the second.
Analysis
Structure: bible (sacred book) + study (learning)
bible: From Latin/Greek 'biblia' (books), via Old French. In this compound, it functions as a noun modifier specifying the object of study.
study: From Old French 'estudie', from Latin 'studium' (zeal, application). In this compound, it functions as the head noun denoting the activity.
Examples
She leads a weekly bible-study at her home.
The new members' class includes a session on methods for effective bible-study.
His deep understanding of theology comes from years of personal bible-study.