paleopathology
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: //ˌpeɪliəʊpəˈθɒlədʒi//
KK: /ˌpeɪliəʊpəˈθɒlədʒi/
noun
Definition
The study of diseases in ancient organisms, especially those that can be seen in fossils or remains.
Example
Paleopathology helps scientists understand how ancient diseases affected past populations.
Conversation
Have you ever heard of paleopathology?
Yeah, it's pretty fascinating how it studies ancient diseases.
Exactly! I read that it can reveal a lot about past civilizations.
For sure, it's like solving a mystery from the past!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
paleomedicine
paleobiology
paleopathology
Antonyms
modernpathology
contemporarydisease
currentmedicine
Root Explanation
Paleopathology → It is formed from "paleo-" (from Greek "palaios", meaning ancient) and "pathology" (from Greek "pathos", meaning suffering or disease, and "logia", meaning study). The word refers to the study of ancient diseases or suffering in historical remains.
Memory Tip
Think of 'ancient' ('paleo-') diseases or suffering ('pathology') to remember that paleopathology is the study of diseases from the past.
Visually Confused Words
palaeopathology
palaeoptychology
palaeophytology
palaeoethnology
hemopathology
acropathology
palaeoanthropology
palaeornithology