nosology

noun

no·​sol·​o·​gy nō-ˈsä-lə-jē How to pronounce nosology (audio) -ˈzä- How to pronounce nosology (audio)
1
: a classification or list of diseases
2
: a branch of medical science that deals with classification of diseases
nosological
ˌnō-sə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce nosology (audio)
adjective
or nosologic
ˌnō-sə-ˈlä-jik How to pronounce nosology (audio)
nosologically
ˌnō-sə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce nosology (audio)
adverb

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin nosologia, from Greek nósos "disease" (of obscure origin) + -o- -o- + New Latin -logia -logy

Note: Attic Greek nósos is paralleled by Homeric and Ionic noûsos, suggesting an earlier *noswos, though the Ionic form (chiefly Herodotus) may be taken from Homer; then the possibility arises that noûsos in Homer should have been read *nóssos, in which case *noswos is out of the question. In any event, neither form leads to a plausible etymology.

First Known Use

circa 1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nosology was circa 1721

Dictionary Entries Near nosology

nosocomial

nosology

no sooner

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Nosology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nosology. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

nosology

noun
no·​sol·​o·​gy nō-ˈsäl-ə-jē How to pronounce nosology (audio) -ˈzäl- How to pronounce nosology (audio)
plural nosologies
1
: a classification or list of diseases
2
: a branch of medical science that deals with classification of diseases
nosological
ˌnō-sə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce nosology (audio)
adjective
or nosologic
-ik How to pronounce nosology (audio)
nosologically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce nosology (audio)
adverb
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