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 the study of the origin and distribution of minerals and rocks in the earth's crust: superseded generally by the term geology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

Geognosy, je-og′no-si, n. the study of the materials of the earth's substance, now frequently called Petrography—also Geognō′sis.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1851, when the Geological Survey of Bavaria was instituted, G�mbel was appointed chief geologist; in 1863 he was made honorary professor of geognosy and surveying at the university of Munich, and in 1879, Oberberg director of the Bavarian mining department with which the Geological Survey was incorporated.

From Project Gutenberg

Geognosy.—An inquiry into the materials of the earth’s substance.

From Project Gutenberg

Geognosy thus lays a foundation of knowledge regarding the nature of the materials constituting the mass of the globe, and prepares the way for an investigation of the processes by which these materials are produced and altered.

From Project Gutenberg

The subjects of tuition in the Higher Gewerb, or technical schools, are, on the contrary, mathematics, algebra, plane trigonometry, analytical geometry in all its branches and modes of practical application; higher algebra, differential and integral calculus, plan-drawing and machine-drawing, botany and zoology, and physiology of plants, geognosy, geology; experimental chemistry, technical chemistry, analytical chemistry, practical chemical operations; mineralogy; mechanics, statistic and dynamic, experimental physics, free hand-drawing, modelling in wood and metal, and instruction in German, French, English and Latin languages, and history.

From Project Gutenberg