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ecology

The origin and history of ecology.

Etymology

A loan-translation of German Ökologie, coined in 1866 by the biologist Ernst Haeckel from Greek oîkos ("house") plus -logía ("study of") — literally, the "study of the household" of nature.

Origin: German · First attested 1866

Class of 1866

ecology first entered the language around 1866. Other words from the same year:

See the full Class of 1866 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.