zoo
zoo
UK[zuː]US[zuː]
n
A place where many kinds of wild animals are kept so that people can see them.
Etymology
The word 'zoo' is a shortened form of 'zoological garden'. Its root is the Greek combining form 'zo(o)-', derived from 'zōion', meaning 'animal'. The term 'zoology', the scientific study of animals, was established in the 17th century. The clipped form 'zoo' emerged in the mid-19th century as a colloquial abbreviation for the public gardens where living animals were displayed for education and entertainment, reflecting a common linguistic trend to shorten long compound terms.
Analysis
The word is a simplex clipping and cannot be meaningfully segmented into productive morphemes in modern English.
Examples
The children were excited to visit the zoo to see the lions and elephants.
Modern zoos focus on conservation and animal welfare rather than just exhibition.
We spent the whole afternoon walking around the city's large zoo.