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geologia

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word geologia

Confidence
Established
Formation
Compound
First attested
1345, Richard de Bury
Ultimate origin
Ancient Greek γῆ,λόγος

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ɡe.oːˈɫɔ.ɡi.a][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [d͡ʒe.oˈlɔː.d͡ʒi.a][1]

Forms

geōlogia f sg (genitive geōlogiae); first declension[1]

Etymology

It was formed in Medieval Latin from Ancient Greek γῆ (gê, “earth”) and λόγος (lógos, “word, account”);[2][3] Wiktionary analyses it as γεω- (geō-) with Latin -logia.[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Richard de Bury uses it once, in his Philobiblon (1345):[4][2] law, he argues, is not to be counted among the sciences, and it may be called geologia, an earthly science,[2] as distinct from the arts and sciences that deal with the works of God.[3]

Semantic evolution

The modern sense, the study of the earth, belongs to New Latin.[3][1] German had Geologie by 1785, and English geology followed in 1795.[3]

Timeline

  • 1345 – Richard de Bury calls the study of law geologia.[4][2]
  • 1785 – German has Geologie.[3]
  • 1795 – English has geology.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) Earthly science, said of the study of law (a single use).[2][3]
  2. (New Latin) Geology.[1][3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
Cite this entry

“Geologia.” Etymologically, 23 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/geologia. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·