palynology

[ pal-uh-nol-uh-jee ]
/ ˌpæl əˈnɒl ə dʒi /

noun

the study of live and fossil spores, pollen grains, and similar plant structures.

Origin of palynology

1940–45; < Greek palýn(ein) to sprinkle, scatter (akin to pálē dust, Latin pollen; see pollen) + -o- + -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM palynology

pal·y·no·log·i·cal [pal-uh-nl-oj-i-kuh l] /ˌpæl ə nlˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, adjective pal·y·no·log·i·cal·ly, adverb pal·y·nol·o·gist, noun

Words nearby palynology

paludamentum, paludism, paludrine, palustrine, paly, palynology, palytoxin, pam, pam., pama-nyungan, pamela

British Dictionary definitions for palynology

palynology
/ (ˌpælɪˈnɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the study of living and fossil pollen grains and plant spores

Derived forms of palynology

palynological (ˌpælɪnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjective palynologist, noun

Word Origin for palynology

C20: from Greek palunein to scatter + -logy

Scientific definitions for palynology

palynology
[ păl′ə-nŏl′ə-jē ]

The scientific study of spores and pollen, both living and fossilized. Palynology helps improve knowledge of ecosystems in both the recent and distant past, since pollen and spores are extremely durable, unlike many other plant parts.