رضا دانشمندی

This list defines 633 sciences, arts and studies of various degrees of respectability and rarity, ranging from the common and esteemed (chemistry) to the obscure and quirky (peristerophily). Over the past century, the range and scope of scientific endeavours has expanded exponentially, so that practically any field of study has a name associated with it. Most of these terms end in 'ology', from the Greek logos, meaning 'word'.

Word     Definition

 
acarology     study of mites 
accidence    grammar book; science of inflections in grammar 
aceology    therapeutics 
acology     study of medical remedies 
acoustics      science of sound 
adenology     study of glands 
aedoeology     science of generative organs 
aerobiology     study of airborne organisms 
aerodonetics    science or study of gliding 
aerodynamics      dynamics of gases; science of movement in a flow of air or gas 
aerolithology     study of aerolites; meteorites 
aerology     study of the atmosphere 
aeronautics     study of navigation through air or space 
aerophilately     collecting of air-mail stamps 
aerostatics     science of air pressure; art of ballooning 
agonistics      art and theory of prize-fighting 
agriology     the comparative study of primitive peoples 
agrobiology      study of plant nutrition; soil yields 
agrology     study of agricultural soils 
agronom     ics study of productivity of land 
agrostology     science or study of grasses 
alethiology     study of truth 
algedonics     science of pleasure and pain 
algology     study of algae 
anaesthesiology     study of anaesthetics 
anaglyptics      art of carving in bas-relief 
anagraphy     art of constructing catalogues 
anatomy     study of the structure of the body 
andragogy      science of teaching adults 
anemology    study of winds 
angelology     study of angels 
angiology     study of blood flow and lymphatic system 
anthropobiology      study of human biology 
anthropology     study of human cultures 
aphnology      science of wealth 
apiology     study of bees 
arachnology     study of spiders 
archaeology      study of human material remains 
archelogy      the study of first principles 
archology      science of the origins of government 
arctophily      study of teddy bears 
areology     study of Mars 
aretaics     the science of virtue 
aristology     the science or art of dining 
arthrology      study of joints 
astacology      the science of crayfish 
astheniology     study of diseases of weakening and aging 
astrogeology     study of extraterrestrial geology 
astrology      study of influence of stars on people 
astrometeorology     study of effect of stars on climate 
astronomy      study of celestial bodies 
astrophysics      study of behaviour of interstellar matter 
astroseismology study of star oscillations 
atmology the science of aqueous vapour 
audiology study of hearing 
autecology study of ecology of one species 
autology scientific study of oneself 
auxology science of growth 
avionics the science of electronic devices for aircraft 
axiology the science of the ultimate nature of values 
bacteriology study of bacteria 
balneology the science of the therapeutic use of baths 
barodynamics science of the support and mechanics of bridges 
barology study of gravitation 
batology the study of brambles 
bibliology      study of books 
bibliotics     study of documents to determine authenticity 
bioecology      study of interaction of life in the environment 
biology     study of life 
biometrics      study of biological measurement 
bionomics       study of organisms interacting in their environments 
botany      study of plants 
bromatology      study of food 
brontology      scientific study of thunder 
bryology      the study of mosses and liverworts 
cacogenics      study of racial degeneration 
caliology      study of bird's nests 
calorifics     study of heat 
cambistry      science of international exchange 
campanology       the art of bell ringing 
carcinology study of crabs and other crustaceans 
cardiology study of the heart 
caricology study of sedges 
carpology study of fruit 
cartography the science of making maps and globes 
cartophily the hobby of collecting cigarette cards 
castrametation the art of designing a camp 
catacoustics science of echoes or reflected sounds 
catalactics science of commercial exchange 
catechectics the art of teaching by question and answer 
cetology study of whales and dolphins 
chalcography the art of engraving on copper or brass 
chalcotriptics art of taking rubbings from ornamental brasses 
chaology the study of chaos or chaos theory 
characterology study of development of character 
chemistry study of properties of substances 
chirocosmetics beautifying the hands; art of manicure 
chirography study of handwriting or penmanship 
chirology study of the hands 
chiropody medical science of feet 
chorology science of the geographic description of anything 
chrematistics the study of wealth; political economy 
chronobiology study of biological rhythms 
chrysology study of precious metals 
ciselure the art of chasing metal 
climatology study of climate 
clinology study of aging or individual decline after maturity 
codicology study of manuscripts 
coleopterology study of beetles and weevils 
cometology study of comets 
conchology study of shells 
coprology study of pornography 
cosmetology study of cosmetics 
cosmology study of the universe 
craniology study of the skull 
criminology study of crime; criminals 
cryobiology study of life under cold conditions 
cryptology study of codes 
cryptozoology study of animals for whose existence there is no conclusive proof 
ctetology study of the inheritance of acquired characteristics 
cynology scientific study of dogs 
cytology study of living cells 
dactyliology study of rings 
dactylography the study of fingerprints 
dactylology study of sign language 
deltiology the collection and study of picture postcards 
demology study of human behaviour 
demonology study of demons 
dendrochronology study of tree rings 
dendrology study of trees 
deontology the theory or study of moral obligation 
dermatoglyphics the study of skin patterns and fingerprints 
dermatology study of skin 
desmology study of ligaments 
diabology study of devils 
diagraphics art of making diagrams or drawings 
dialectology study of dialects 
dioptrics study of light refraction 
diplomatics science of deciphering ancient writings and texts 
diplomatology study of diplomats 
docimology the art of assaying 
dosiology the study of doses 
dramaturgy art of producing and staging dramatic works 
dysgenics the study of racial degeneration 
dysteleology study of purposeless organs 
ecclesiology study of church affairs 
eccrinology study of excretion 
ecology study of environment 
economics study of material wealth 
edaphology study of soils 
Egyptology study of ancient Egypt 
ekistics study of human settlement 
electrochemistry study of relations between electricity and chemicals 
electrology study of electricity 
electrostatics study of static electricity 
embryology study of embryos 
emetology study of vomiting 
emmenology the study of menstruation 
endemiology study of local diseases 
endocrinology study of glands 
enigmatology study of enigmas 
entomology study of insects 
entozoology study of parasites that live inside larger organisms 
enzymology study of enzymes 
ephebiatrics branch of medicine dealing with adolescence 
epidemiology study of diseases; epidemics 
epileptology study of epilepsy 
epistemology study of grounds of knowledge 
eremology study of deserts 
ergology study of effects of work on humans 
ergonomics study of people at work 
escapology study of freeing oneself from constraints 
eschatology study of death; final matters 
ethnogeny study of origins of races or ethnic groups 
ethnology study of cultures 
ethnomethodology study of everyday communication 
ethnomusicology study of comparative musical systems 
ethology study of natural or biological character 
ethonomics study of economic and ethical principles of a society 
etiology the science of causes; especially of disease 
etymology study of origins of words 
euthenics science concerned with improving living conditions 
exobiology study of extraterrestrial life 
floristry the art of cultivating and selling flowers 
fluviology study of watercourses 
folkloristics study of folklore and fables 
futurology study of future 
garbology study of garbage 
gastroenterology study of stomach; intestines 
gastronomy study of fine dining 
gemmology study of gems and jewels 
genealogy study of descent of families 
genesiology study of reproduction and heredity 
genethlialogy the art of casting horoscopes 
geochemistry study of chemistry of the earth's crust 
geochronology study of measuring geological time 
geogeny science of the formation of the earth's crust 
geogony study of formation of the earth 
geography study of surface of the earth and its inhabitants 
geology study of earth's crust 
geomorphogeny study of the origins of land forms 
geoponics study of agriculture 
geotechnics study of increasing habitability of the earth 
geratology study of decadence and decay 
gerocomy study of old age 
gerontology study of the elderly; aging 
gigantology study of giants 
glaciology study of ice ages and glaciation 
glossology study of language; study of the tongue 
glyptography the art of engraving on gems 
glyptology study of gem engravings 
gnomonics the art of measuring time using sundials 
gnosiology study of knowledge; philosophy of knowledge 
gnotobiology study of life in germ-free conditions 
graminology study of grasses 
grammatology study of systems of writing 
graphemics study of systems of representing speech in writing 
graphology study of handwriting 
gromatics science of surveying 
gynaecology study of women’s physiology 
gyrostatics the study of rotating bodies 
haemataulics study of movement of blood through blood vessels 
hagiology study of saints 
halieutics study of fishing 
hamartiology study of sin 
harmonics study of musical acoustics 
hedonics part of ethics or psychology dealing with pleasure 
helcology study of ulcers 
heliology science of the sun 
helioseismology study of sun's interior by observing its surface oscillations 
helminthology study of worms 
hematology study of blood 
heortology study of religious feasts 
hepatology study of liver 
heraldry study of coats of arms 
heresiology study of heresies 
herpetology study of reptiles and amphibians 
hierology science of sacred matters 
hippiatrics study of diseases of horses 
hippology the study of horses 
histology study of the tissues of organisms 
histopathology study of changes in tissue due to disease 
historiography study of writing history 
historiology study of history 
homiletics the art of preaching 
hoplology the study of weapons 
horography art of constructing sundials or clocks 
horology science of time measurement 
horticulture study of gardening 
hydrobiology study of aquatic organisms 
hydrodynamics study of movement in liquids 
hydrogeology study of ground water 
hydrography study of investigating bodies of water 
hydrokinetics study of motion of fluids 
hydrology study of water resources 
hydrometeorology study of atmospheric moisture 
hydropathy study of treating diseases with water 
hyetology science of rainfall 
hygiastics science of health and hygiene 
hygienics study of sanitation; health 
hygiology hygienics; study of cleanliness 
hygrology study of humidity 
hygrometry science of humidity 
hymnography study of writing hymns 
hymnology study of hymns 
hypnology study of sleep; study of hypnosis 
hypsography science of measuring heights 
iamatology study of remedies 
iatrology treatise or text on medical topics; study of medicine 
iatromathematics archaic practice of medicine in conjunction with astrology 
ichnography art of drawing ground plans; a ground plan 
ichnology science of fossilized footprints 
ichthyology study of fish 
iconography study of drawing symbols 
iconology study of icons; symbols 
ideogeny study of origins of ideas 
ideology science of ideas; system of ideas used to justify behaviour 
idiomology study of idiom, jargon or dialect 
idiopsychology psychology of one's own mind 
immunogenetics study of genetic characteristics of immunity 
immunology study of immunity 
immunopathology study of immunity to disease 
insectology study of insects 
irenology the study of peace 
iridology study of the iris; diagnosis of disease based on the iris of the eye 
kalology study of beauty 
karyology study of cell nuclei 
kidology study of kidding 
kinematics study of motion 
kinesics study of gestural communication 
kinesiology study of human movement and posture 
kinetics study of forces producing or changing motion 
koniology study of atmospheric pollutants and dust 
ktenology science of putting people to death 
kymatology study of wave motion 
labeorphily collection and study of beer bottle labels 
larithmics study of population statistics 
laryngology study of larynx 
lepidopterology study of butterflies and moths 
leprology study of leprosy 
lexicology study of words and their meanings 
lexigraphy art of definition of words 
lichenology study of lichens 
limacology study of slugs 
limnobiology study of freshwater ecosystems 
limnology study of bodies of fresh water 
linguistics study of language 
lithology study of rocks 
liturgiology study of liturgical forms and church rituals 
loimology study of plagues and epidemics 
loxodromy study of sailing along rhumb-lines 
magirics art of cookery 
magnanerie art of raising silkworms 
magnetics study of magnetism 
malacology study of molluscs 
malariology study of malaria 
mammalogy study of mammals 
manège the art of horsemanship 
Mariology study of the Virgin Mary 
martyrology study of martyrs 
mastology study of mammals 
mathematics study of magnitude, number, and forms 
mazology mammalogy; study of mammals 
mechanics study of action of force on bodies 
meconology study of or treatise concerning opium 
melittology study of bees 
mereology study of part-whole relationships 
mesology ecology 
metallogeny study of the origin and distribution of metal deposits 
metallography study of the structure and constitution of metals 
metallurgy study of alloying and treating metals 
metaphysics study of principles of nature and thought 
metapolitics study of politics in theory or abstract 
metapsychology study of nature of the mind 
meteoritics the study of meteors 
meteorology study of weather 
metrics study of versification 
metrology science of weights and measures 
microanatomy study of microscopic tissues 
microbiology study of microscopic organisms 
microclimatology study of local climates 
micrology study or discussion of trivialities 
micropalaeontology study of microscopic fossils 
microphytology study of very small plant life 
microscopy study of minute objects 
mineralogy study of minerals 
molinology study of mills and milling 
momilogy study of mummies 
morphology study of forms and the development of structures 
muscology the study of mosses 
museology the study of museums 
musicology study of music 
mycology study of funguses 
myology study of muscles 
myrmecology study of ants 
mythology study of myths; fables; tales 
naology study of church or temple architecture 
nasology study of the nose 
nautics art of navigation 
nematology the study of nematodes 
neonatology study of newborn babies 
neossology study of nestling birds 
nephology study of clouds 
nephrology study of the kidneys 
neurobiology study of anatomy of the nervous system 
neurology study of nervous system 
neuropsychology study of relation between brain and behaviour 
neurypnology study of hypnotism 
neutrosophy study of the origin and nature of philosophical neutralities 
nidology study of nests 
nomology the science of the laws; especially of the mind 
noology science of the intellect 
nosology study of diseases 
nostology study of senility 
notaphily collecting of bank-notes and cheques 
numerology study of numbers 
numismatics study of coins 
nymphology study of nymphs 
obstetrics study of midwifery 
oceanography study of oceans 
oceanology study of oceans 
odology science of the hypothetical mystical force of od 
odontology study of teeth 
oenology study of wines 
oikology science of housekeeping 
olfactology study of the sense of smell 
ombrology study of rain 
oncology study of tumours 
oneirology study of dreams 
onomasiology study of nomenclature 
onomastics study of proper names 
ontology science of pure being; the nature of things 
oology study of eggs 
ophiology study of snakes 
ophthalmology study of eye diseases 
optics study of light 
optology study of sight 
optometry science of examining the eyes 
orchidology study of orchids 
ornithology study of birds 
orology study of mountains 
orthoepy study of correct pronunciation 
orthography study of spelling 
orthopterology study of cockroaches 
oryctology mineralogy or paleontology 
osmics      scientific study of smells 
osmology      study of smells and olfactory processes 
osphresiology      study of the sense of smell 
osteology      study of bones 
otology      study of the ear 
otorhinolaryngology     study of ear, nose and throat 
paedology       study of children 
paedotrophy      art of rearing children 
paidonosology         study of children's diseases; pediatrics 
palaeoanthropology      study of early humans 
palaeobiology      study of fossil plants and animals 
palaeoclimatology      study of ancient climates 
palaeolimnology     study of ancient fish 
palaeolimnology      study of ancient lakes 
palaeontology      study of fossils 
palaeopedology     study of early soils 
paleobotany      study of ancient plants 
paleo-osteology      study of ancient bones 
palynology      study of pollen 
papyrology      study of paper 
parapsychology      study of unexplained mental phenomena 
parasitology      study of parasites 
paroemiology      study of proverbs 
parthenology      study of virgins 
pataphysics        the science of imaginary solutions 
pathology     study of disease 
patrology     study of early Christianity 
pedagogics      study of teaching 
pedology     study of soils 
pelology       study of mud 
penology      study of crime and punishment 
periodontics      study of gums 
peristerophily     pigeon-collecting 
pestology      science of pests 
petrology      study of rocks 
pharmacognosy      study of drugs of animal and plant origin 
pharmacology      study of drugs 
pharology      study of lighthouses 
pharyngology       study of the throat 
phenology      study of organisms as affected by climate 
phenomenology      study of phenomena 
philately      study of postage stamps 
philematology       the act or study of kissing 
phillumeny      collecting of matchbox labels 
philology      study of ancient texts; historical linguistics 
philosophy      science of knowledge or wisdom 
phoniatrics      study and correction of speech defects 
phonology      study of speech sounds 
photobiology      study of effects of light on organisms 
phraseology      study of phrases 
phrenology      study of bumps on the head 
phycology      study of algae and seaweeds 
physics      study of properties of matter and energy 
physiology      study of processes of life 
phytology      study of plants; botany 
piscatology      study of fishes 
pisteology     science or study of faith 
planetology      study of planets 
plutology political economy;     study of wealth 
pneumatics      study of mechanics of gases 
podiatry      study and treatment of disorders of the foot; chiropody 
podology      study of the feet 
polemology      study of war 
pomology       study of fruit-growing 
posology      science of quantity or dosage 
potamology     study of rivers 
praxeology      study of practical or efficient activity; science of efficient action 
primatology      study of primates 
proctology     study of rectum 
prosody      study of versification 
protistology      study of protists 
proxemics      study of man’s need for personal space 
psalligraphy      the art of paper-cutting to make pictures 
psephology      study of election results and voting trends 
pseudology      art or science of lying 
pseudoptics      study of optical illusions 
psychobiology       study of biology of the mind 
psychogenetics       study of internal or mental states 
psychognosy       study of mentality, personality or character 
psychology       study of mind 
psychopathology       study of mental illness 
psychophysics       study of link between mental and physical processes 
pteridology      study of ferns 
pterylology      study of distribution of feathers on birds 
pyretology     study of fevers 
pyrgology      study of towers 
pyroballogy      study of artillery 
pyrography      study of woodburning 
quinology      study of quinine 
raciology      study of racial differences 
radiology      study of X-rays and their medical applications 
reflexology      study of reflexes 
rhabdology     knowledge or learning concerning divining rods 
rhabdology      art of calculating using numbering rods 
rheology      science of the deformation or flow of matter 
rheumatology      study of rheumatism 
rhinology      study of the nose 
rhochrematics      science of inventory management and the movement of products 
runology     study of runes 
sarcology     study of fleshy parts of the body 
satanology     study of the devil 
scatology      study of excrement or obscene literature 
schematonics      art of using gesture to express tones 
sciagraphy      art of shading 
scripophily     collection of bond and share certificates 
sedimentology      study of sediment 
seismology       study of earthquakes 
selenodesy      study of the shape and features of the moon 
selenology      study of the moon 
semantics      study of meaning 
semantology science of meanings of words 
semasiology      study of meaning; semantics 
semiology      study of signs and signals 
semiotics      study of signs and symbols 
serology       study of serums 
sexology        study of sexual behaviour 
siderography        art of engraving on steel 
sigillography      study of seals 
significs science of meaning 
silvics study of tree's life 
sindonology       study of the shroud of Turin 
Sinology       study of China 
sitology dietetics 
sociobiology      study of biological basis of human behaviour 
sociology     study of society 
somatology      science of the properties of matter 
sophiology     science of ideas 
soteriology       study of theological salvation 
spectrology       study of ghosts 
spectroscopy       study of spectra 
speleology      study and exploration of caves 
spermology       study of seeds 
sphagnology      study of peat moss 
sphragistics     study of seals and signets 
sphygmology       study of the pulse 
splanchnology       study of the entrails or viscera 
spongology      study of sponges 
stasiology       study of political parties 
statics      study of bodies and forces in equilibrium 
stemmatology        study of relationships between texts 
stoichiology       science of elements of animal tissues 
stomatology       study of the mouth 
storiology       study of folk tales 
stratigraphy       study of geological layers or strata 
stratography       art of leading an army 
stylometry       studying literature by means of statistical analysis 
suicidology      study of suicide 
symbology       study of symbols 
symptomatology       study of symptoms of illness 
synecology      study of ecological communities 
synectics      study of processes of invention 
syntax      study of sentence structure 
syphilology      study of syphilis 
systematology       study of systems 
taxidermy      art of curing and stuffing animals 
tectonics science of structure of objects, buildings and landforms 
tegestology study and collecting of beer mats 
teleology study of final causes; analysis in terms of purpose 
telmatology study of swamps 
teratology      study of monsters, freaks, abnormal growths or malformations 
teuthology      study of cephalopods 
textology      study of the production of texts 
thalassography      science of the sea 
thanatology      study of death and its customs 
thaumatology      study of miracles 
theology      study of religion; religious doctrine 
theriatrics      veterinary medicine 
theriogenology       study of animals' reproductive systems 
thermodynamics       study of relation of heat to motion 
thermokinematics       study of motion of heat 
thermology      study of heat 
therology      study of wild mammals 
thremmatology      science of breeding domestic animals and plants 
threpsology science of nutrition 
tidology      study of tides 
timbrology      study of postage stamps 
tocology obstetrics; midwifery 
tonetics      study of pronunciation 
topology       study of places and their natural features 
toponymics     study of place-names 
toreutics       study of artistic work in metal 
toxicology       study of poisons 
toxophily love of archery; archery;       study of archery 
traumatology      study of wounds and their effects 
tribology          study of friction and wear between surfaces 
trichology        study of hair and its disorders 
trophology      study of nutrition 
tsiganology      study of gypsies 
turnery      art of turning in a lathe 
typhlology       study of blindness and the blind 
typography       art of printing or using type 
typology       study of types of things 
ufology        study of alien spacecraft 
uranography      descriptive astronomy and mapping 
uranology       study of the heavens; astronomy 
urbanology      study of cities 
urenology       study of rust molds 
urology       study of urine; urinary tract 
venereology      study of venereal disease 
vermeology       study of worms 
vexillology       study of flags 
victimology        study of victims 
vinology scientific        study of vines and winemaking 
virology       study of viruses 
vitrics glassy materials; glassware;      study of glassware 
volcanology       study of volcanoes 
vulcanology       study of volcanoes 
xylography      art of engraving on wood 
xylology      study of wood 
zenography       study of the planet Jupiter 
zoiatrics      veterinary surgery 
zooarchaeology      study of animal remains of archaeological sites 
zoochemistry       chemistry of animals 
zoogeography      study of geographic distribution of animals 
zoogeology      study of fossil animal remains 
zoology       study of animals 
zoonomy      animal physiology 
zoonosology     study of animal diseases 
zoopathology      study of animal diseases 
zoophysics     physics of animal bodies 
zoophysiology     study of physiology of animals 
zoophytology      study of plant-like animals 
zoosemiotics      study of animal communication 
zootaxy      science of classifying animals 
zootechnics      science of breeding animals 
zygology     science of joining and fastening 
zymology     science of fermentation 
zymurgy    branch of chemistry dealing with brewing and distilling 



I hope you have found this site to be useful. If you have any corrections, additions, or comments, please contact me. Please note that I am not able to respond to all requests. Please consult a major dictionary before e-mailing your query. All material on this page © 2007 Stephen Chrisomalis. Links to this page may be made without permission.