geomorphologyn.
/ˌdʒiːə(ʊ)mɔːˈfɒlədʒi/, U.S. /ˌdʒioʊˌmɔrˈfɑlədʒi/ΚΠ
1874 L. Elsberg in Ann. Lyceum Nat. Hist. 10 281 Morphology..is divisible into geomorphology and metageomorphology; the former into biomorphology and abiomorphology.
2. The branch of geology and physical geography concerned with the nature, origin, and development of the physical features of the earth's surface. Also: the physical features (landforms) of a particular region and the processes which affect them.
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the world > the earth > earth sciences > geology > [noun] > geomorphology
geomorphology1888
geomorphy1892
1888 W. J. McGee in 7th Ann. Rep. U.S. Geol. Surv. 1885–6 547 Such genetic study of topographic forms (which has been denominated geomorphology) is specially applicable in the investigation of the Cenozoic phenomena of the eastern United States.
1893 W. J. McGee in Congrès Géol. Internat. 1891 199 The systematic examination of land forms and their interpretation as records of geologic history introduces a new branch of geologic science, called ‘physical geography’ or ‘physiography’ by different writers, which has been designated ‘geomorphic geology’ by Powell and the ‘new geology’ or ‘geomorphology’ by the writer.
1898 J. Geikie Earth Sculpt. p. viii Prof. A. De Lapparent's Leçons de Géographie Physique—a most instructive and comprehensive outline of geomorphology.
1946 Nature 31 Aug. 300/1 He has made considerable contributions to the geomorphology of Wales.
1972 J. Kalvoda in A. G. Jhingran et al. Himalayan Geol. II. 302 The basic elements to the study of the geomorphology of the Himalaya.
1985 M. Parfit South Light (1988) xv. 192 Now he was an associate professor at the Arizona State University, specializing in volcanism and planetary and polar geomorphology.
2002 Archaeology May 33/2 Our team included researchers..working in fields as varied as geomorphology, paleobotany, and dendrochronology.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1874