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
agronomics 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
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