Main Entry: epis·te·mol·o·gy

Pronunciation: \i-ˌpis-tə-ˈmä-lə-jē\

Function: noun

Etymology: Greek epistēmē knowledge, from epistanai to understand, know, from epi- + histanai to cause to stand — more at stand

Date: circa 1856

: the study or a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits and validity

— epis·te·mo·log·i·cal \-mə-ˈlä-ji-kəl\ adjective

— epis·te·mo·log·i·cal·ly \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— epis·te·mol·o·gist \-ˈmä-lə-jist\ noun