| 释义 |
geology|dʒiːˈɒlədʒɪ|
[ad. med.L. geōlogia, f. Gr. γεω- geo- + -λογία discourse: see -logy.
The med.L. word was used, perhaps for the first time, by Richard de Bury (14th c.) in the peculiar sense ‘science of earthly things’, applied to the study of law as distinguished from the arts and sciences which are concerned with the works of God. In 1687 geologia appears as the title of a work in Italian by F. Sessa, intended to prove that the ‘influence’ ascribed by astrologers to the stars, really proceeded from the earth itself. A work entitled Geologia Norwegica, containing a description of Hecla, is referred to in 1686 by Plot Staffordshire iii. 145; but, so far as is at present known, the use of the word as a name for a distinct branch of physical science occurs first in English.]
†1. The science which treats of the earth in general (see quots.). Obs.
[1690E. Warren (title) Geologia: or, A Discourse concerning the Earth before the Deluge.] 1735B. Martin Philos. Gram. 11 Geology, which treats of the Nature, Make, Parts and Productions of the Globe of Earth on which we live. Ibid. 12 Geology is..divided into the following subordinate Branches, viz.:—(i) Geography, which treats of the Earth or Land; (ii) Hydrography, which treats of Water; (iii) Phytography..(iv) Zoography. 1736Bailey (folio) Pref., Geology, a Treatise or Description of the Earth. 1755Johnson, Geology, the doctrine of the earth; the knowledge of the state and nature of the earth.
2. The science which has for its object the investigation of the earth's crust, of the strata which enter into its composition, with their mutual relations, and of the successive changes to which their present condition and positions are due.
1795J. Hutton Theory Earth I. 216 A person, who has formed his notions of geology from the vague opinion of others. 1813Bakewell Introd. Geol. Pref. (1815) 4 In the order of succession, mineralogy and geology are the last of the natural sciences. 1842H. Miller O.R. Sandst. ii. (ed. 2) 58 Geology, of all the sciences, addresses itself most powerfully to the imagination. 1874Lyell Elem. Geol. v. 47 It..appeared clear as the science of ‘Geology’ advanced that [etc.]. 1880Geikie Phys. Geog. iv. 189 To describe these [rocks] and trace their origin and history forms the subject of the science of Geology.
b. The geological features of a district.
1816Keatinge Trav. (1817) I. 38 The geology as well as the botany of the Pyrenees ought to repay all the patience..of the enthusiasts in those sciences. |