zoologicalhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zoological_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezoological, adj. & n.
Revised 2017

zoologicaladjective & noun

  1. adjective
    1. 1.
      1686–
      Of or relating to zoology; belonging or devoted to the scientific study of animals.
      1. 1686
        That he be knowing and skilful, in all the Icons or Figures used in the Medical Learning, whether Anatomical, Chyrurgical, Phytological, Zoological, or Chymical.
        W. Salmon in translation of J. Doläus, Systema Medicinale Preface sig. A6
      2. 1781
        In this tract is exhibited the first specimen of Linnæus's method of zoological description.
        R. Pulteney, General View of Writings of Linnæus 225
      3. 1794
        The zoological treasures so richly dispersed in the regions of the Southern Hemisphere.
        G. Shaw, Vivarium Naturæ, or Naturalist’ s Misc. vol. V. Pl. 175
      4. 1815
        His numerous zoological and botanical works are sufficiently known.
        R. Tweddell in Tweddell's Remains 190 (note)
      5. 1837
        Molluscous animals had been placed too high in the zoological scale.
        W. Whewell, History of Inductive Science vol. III. xvii. viii. 465
      6. 1856
        A charming little zoological curate here, who..is most good-natured in lending and giving apparatus and ‘critturs’ of all sorts.
        ‘G. Eliot’, Letter 6 June (1954) vol. II. 253
      7. 1877
        The zoölogical characters by which it is distinguished from other Carnivorous Mammals.
        E. Coues, Fur-bearing Animals i. 2
      8. 1908
        Some new fields are opening for zoological students.
        Science 5 June 881/2
      9. 1940
        Natural History Museum. Week-end reopening of zoological sections.
        Times 6 February 6/6 (headline)
      10. 1991
        A hundred and eighty zoological woodcuts, engravings, and watercolors by artists and naturalists.
        New Yorker 6 May 12/3
      11. 2011
        We were justified in classifying humans as a separate zoological family—the hominids—as distinct from the apes.
        C. Stringer, Origin of Our Species (2012) vii. 168
    2. 2.
      1816–
      In extended use: of or relating to animals generally.
      1. 1816
        Having fully considered him in a mechanical and a medical light, as a Block and as a Doctor, he now takes a zoological, or, more accurately, an ornithological view of him.
        Morning Chronicle 15 July
      2. 1855
        One of the apartments has a zoological papering on the walls, not so accurately joined but that the elephant occasionally rejoices in a tiger's hind legs and tail; while the lion puts on a trunk and tusks.
        C. Dickens, Holly-tree Inn: Guest in Household Words Extra Christmas No. 6/2
      3. 1889
        Which is the nobler sort of ancestry—the purely zoological, or the spiritual?
        H. P. Liddon, Magnificat iv. 91
      4. 1906
        A little girl who has a series of zoological adventures of the ‘Alice’ type.
        Bystander 5 December p. xx/2
      5. 1935
        Organized rioters protested with zoological noises of many kinds against a slight increase in prices.
        Times 4 December 15/4
      6. 2000
        Debenhams has gone zoological with mock croc and snakeskin.
        Times 2 August (Crème section) 6/4
      1. 3.a.
        1827–
        Designating an establishment in which wild animals kept in enclosures for study, conservation, or display to the public. Cf. zoological garden n., zoo n. 1a.
        1. 1827
          We hope it [sc. a camelopard] will ere long find its way to the Zoological establishment in the Regent's Park.
          La Belle Assemblée 1 September 137/1
        2. 1828
          The success of the zoological exhibition in the Regent's Park has so far exceeded expectation, that the managers talk of giving a fete champetre.
          Standard 30 September
        3. 1899
          A splendid stretch of 261 acres of country, that is destined to accommodate one of the finest collections of wild animals in the world, and will be known as the New York Zoological Park, was formally opened..yesterday.
          New York Times 9 November 14/3
        4. 1978
          Stellingen itself remains the finest example of the use of moated enclosures in zoological parks.
          B. Jordan & S. Ormrod, Last Great Wild Beast Show i. 48
        5. 2014
          The research and study zoo is believed to be the only zoological center on a university campus anywhere.
          Jerusalem Post (Nexis) 21 November 14
      2. 3.b.
        1843–
        Of, from, or relating to such an establishment.
        1. 1843
          Me, who have no more notion of engineering than a Zoological monkey of driving piles.
          T. Hood in F. F. Broderip, Memorials T. Hood (1860) vol. II. 152
        2. 1858
          Imagine the hero of Redclyffe..going about..with the ‘lion roused in him,’ his ‘hazel eye gleaming like an eagle's,’ and a whole zoological-garden-full of symptoms constantly making him uncomfortable.
          Household Words 18 December 51/1
        3. 1865
          You would have said that Nature..had meant that grim and haggard visage to glare out of a zoological cage.
          Penny Illustr. Paper 4 November 367/1
        4. 1923
          However well satisfied captive wild animals may be in a zoological cage, there are always sentimental persons who find cause to pity the beasts.
          Popular Mechanics May 660/1
        5. 1985
          The Boston-born zoological director, hopes eventually to introduce a wildlife education program, such as the one the San Diego Zoo conducts.
          Globe & Mail (Toronto) (Nexis) 26 January
        6. 2015
          Zoological manager Mark Wanner..handled the boa constrictor and tortoises.
          St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Despatch (Nexis) 12 April h1
  2. † noun
    1. 1831–90
      Short for zoological garden n.; spec. that of the Zoological Society of London at Regent's Park. Cf. zoo n. 1a. Obsolete.
      1. 1831
        I..passed three hours with some new foreigners at the Zoological, which is the best lounge of London.
        J. Jekyll, Letter 15 August in Correspondence (1894) ix. 279
      2. 1868
        After this, to operas, and to the drive of an afternoon, and the Zoological on Sunday.
        A. Edwards, Susan Fielding vol. I. vi. 109
      3. 1890
        After which I never gave any buns to the bears at the Zoological.
        F. C. Burnand, Very much Abroad 122

zoological, adj. & n. was revised in June 2017.

zoological, adj. & n. was last modified in July 2023.