protobiology

Term: protobiology(n)

Literally meaning: “first biology”

Origin: Anc Greek

πρώτος/protos(=first) > πρo/pro-(prefix denoting “in front of”, “towards”, "before")

βιο-/vio(bio-, combining form for “life”) > βία/via(=rush) 

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

Definition

Protobiology is the study of the minute life forms.