speleology

noun spe·le·ol·o·gy \ˌspē-lē-ˈä-lə-jē, ˌspe-\

Definition of SPELEOLOGY

: the scientific study or exploration of caves

— spe·le·o·log·i·cal \ˌspē-lē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl, ˌspe-\ adjective

— spe·le·ol·o·gist \ˌspē-lē-ˈä-lə-jist, ˌspe-\ noun

See speleology defined for kids

Latin speleum cave (from Greek spēlaion) + International Scientific Vocabulary -o- + -logy — more at spelunker

First Known Use: 1895

Next Word in the Dictionary: speleothemPrevious Word in the Dictionary: speldringAll Words Near: speleology

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