malacology

noun

mal·​a·​col·​o·​gy ËŒma-lÉ™-ˈkä-lÉ™-jÄ“ How to pronounce malacology (audio)
: a branch of zoology dealing with mollusks
malacological
ËŒma-lÉ™-kÉ™-ˈlä-ji-kÉ™l How to pronounce malacology (audio)
adjective
malacologist
ËŒma-lÉ™-ˈkä-lÉ™-jist How to pronounce malacology (audio)
noun

Word History

Etymology

French malacologie, contraction of malacozoologie, from New Latin Malacozoa, zoological group including soft-bodied animals (from Greek malakos soft + New Latin -zoa) + French -logie -logy

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of malacology was in 1836

Rhymes for malacology

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Browse Nearby Words

malacologist
malacology
malacon
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Cite this Entry

“Malacology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malacology. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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