zoology

Term: zoology

Literally meaning: “animal study, knowledge ”

Origin: Anc Greek
ζωο-/zoo-> ζώον/zoon(=animal) >ζω/zo(=live)

+(-λογία)/-logia(=logy, suffix meaning “study of”, “speech”, “discourse”) > λέω/leo (=speak).

Coined/History

The Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC) the teacher of the Alexander the Great and pupil of Plato was the first who tried to classify animal species into groups according the similarities and differences between their structures and physiologies. His treatise "History of Animals" is the first systematic classification in the history of Biology. His work influenced scientists until in the sixteenth century.

Sourse

http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/history_anim.html

Definition

The scientific study of the animal kingdom including structure, physiology, development and classification of animals.