malacology

noun

mal·​a·​col·​o·​gy ˌma-lə-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce malacology (audio)
: a branch of zoology dealing with mollusks
malacological adjective
malacologist noun

Word History

Etymology

French malacologie, contraction of malacozoologie, from New Latin Malacozoa, zoological group including soft-bodied animals (from Greek malakos soft + New Latin -zoa) + French -logie -logy

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of malacology was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near malacology

Cite this Entry

“Malacology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malacology. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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