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
ˌma-lə-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce malacology (audio)
adjective
malacologist
ˌma-lə-ˈkä-lə-jist How to pronounce malacology (audio)
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

malacolite

malacology

malacon

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Malacology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malacology. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

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