typology

[ tahy-pol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the doctrine or study of types or prefigurative symbols, especially in scriptural literature.
2. a systematic classification or study of types.
3. symbolism.
4. Linguistics. the study and classification of languages according to structural features, especially patterns of phonology, morphology, and syntax, without reference to their histories.

typology

/ taɪˈpɒlədʒɪ; ˌtaɪpəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. Christian theol the doctrine or study of types or of the correspondence between them and the realities which they typify

Derived Forms

• typological, adjective
• tyˈpologist, noun
• ˌtypoˈlogically, adverb

Other Words From

• ty·po·log·i·cal [tahy-p, uh, -, loj, -i-k, uh, l], typo·logic adjective
• typo·logi·cal·ly adverb
• ty·polo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of typology¹

First recorded in 1835–45; typo- + -logy

Example Sentences

These tended to be Republicans of the old school: the country-club types, to use a perhaps outdated typology.

From The Daily Beast

What a marvelous unfolding of Old Testament typology in the Hebrews!

From Project Gutenberg

Irenus follows Justin in making the angels mix with the daughters of men, and also in his absurd typology.

From Project Gutenberg

It merely points up the fact that Western terminology and typology might be rexamined.

From Project Gutenberg

Variant—in projectile point typology a variation of the type described as of the original series.

From Project Gutenberg

Typology (L)—a study of arrangement of specimens separated into types.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• categorization
• classification