geognosy

[ jee-og-nuh-see ]

noun

1. Archaic. a science dealing with the constituent parts of the earth, its envelope of air and water, its crust, and the condition of its interior.

geognosy

/ ˌdʒiːɒɡˈnɒstɪk; dʒɪˈɒɡnəsɪ /

noun

1. the study of the origin and distribution of minerals and rocks in the earth's crust: superseded generally by the term geology

Derived Forms

• geognostic, adjective

Other Words From

• ge·og·nos·tic [jee-og-, nos, -tik], geog·nosti·cal adjective
• geog·nosti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of geognosy¹

1785–95; < French géognosie, equivalent to géo- geo- + -gnosie < Greek gnôsis knowledge

Word History and Origins

Origin of geognosy¹

C18: from French géognosie, from geo- + Greek gnōsis a seeking to know, knowledge

Example Sentences

These sciences really form one—geognosy, or the science of the formation of the earth.

From Project Gutenberg