entomology
Meaning
The scientific study of insects.
Structure
Usage
She pursued a degree in entomology with a focus on beetle biodiversity.
The museum's entomology department houses a collection of over five million specimens.
His research in agricultural entomology aims to develop natural pest control methods.
Etymology
The word 'entomology' is a direct borrowing from the French entomologie, which was constructed in the 18th century from Greek components. Its core logic lies in the ancient Greek observation of insect anatomy: entomon (ἔντομον), meaning "insect," is derived from entomos (ἔντομος), "cut into" or "segmented," referring to the insect's distinctly divided body. The suffix -logia (λογία) denotes "the study of" or "discourse." Thus, the term literally translates to "the study of segmented creatures," a precise morphological description that evolved into the modern, abstract scientific discipline dedicated to insects.
Analysis
- entomo: From Greek entomon (insect), literally meaning "cut into" or "segmented," from en- (in) + temnein (to cut). It functions as the root specifying the subject matter. - logy: From Greek -logia, from logos (word, discourse, study). It functions as a suffix denoting a branch of knowledge or science.