zoological, adj. & n.

zoological
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zoological_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2017

# zoologicaladjective & noun

## Earlier version

- zoological, a. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the word zoological mean?

There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the word zoological, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How common is the word zoological?

About 0.6occurrences per million words in modern written English

1770 | 0.057
1780 | 0.073
1790 | 0.09
1800 | 0.15
1810 | 0.36
1820 | 0.51
1830 | 0.72
1840 | 0.91
1850 | 1.1
1860 | 1.2
1870 | 1.3
1880 | 1.4
1890 | 1.4
1900 | 1.4
1910 | 1.3
1920 | 1.2
1930 | 1.1
1940 | 1.0
1950 | 0.95
1960 | 0.82
1970 | 0.73
1980 | 0.62
1990 | 0.54
2000 | 0.49
2010 | 0.47

### How is the word zoological pronounced?

#### British English

/ˌzuːəˈlɒdʒᵻkl/
zoo-uh-LOJ-uh-kuhl
/ˌzəʊəˈlɒdʒᵻkl/
zoh-uh-LOJ-uh-kuhl

#### U.S. English

/ˌzuəˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/
zoo-uh-LAH-juh-kuhl
/ˌzoʊəˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/
zoh-uh-LAH-juh-kuhl

### Where does the word zoological come from?

Earliest known use

late 1600s

The earliest known use of the word zoological is in the late 1600s.

OED's earliest evidence for zoological is from 1686, in a translation by William Salmon, medical empiric and author.

zoological is formed within English, by derivation.

Etymons: zoology n., ‑ical suffix.

### Nearby entries

1. zookeeper, n. 1886–
2. zookeeping, n. 1929–
3. Zookers, int. 1620–
4. Zooks, int. 1600–
5. zoolater, n. 1876–
6. zoolatrous, adj. 1876–
7. zoolatry, n. 1784–
8. zoolite, n. 1768–
9. zoologer, n. 1663–
10. zoologic, adj. 1766–
11. zoological, adj. & n.1686–
12. zoological garden, n. 1827–
13. zoologically, adv. 1799–
14. zoologico-, comb. form
15. zoologico-archaeologist, n. 1864
16. zoologist, n. 1663–
17. zoologize, v. 1830–
18. zoologizing, n. 1815–
19. zoology, n. 1663–
20. zoom, n. 1917–
21. zoom, v.¹ 1886–

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by derivation.
Etymons: zoology n., ‑ical suffix.
< zoology n. + ‑ical suffix.

Compare later zoologic adj.…
< zoology n. + ‑ical suffix.

Compare later zoologic adj.

### Notes

In use as noun short for zoological garden n.; compare zoo n.

## Meaning & use

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
      animals
      1. theriological 1653
         = theriologic, adj.
      2. zoological 1686–
         Of or relating to zoology; belonging or devoted to the scientific study of animals.
      3. theriologic 1697–
         Of or pertaining to the scientific study of beasts; zoological.
      4. zoologic 1766–
         = zoological, adj. (in various senses).
      5. zooscopic 1817–
         †a. Of or relating to the scientific study of animals; zoological (obsolete rare); b. Psychiatry designating a hallucination in which intimidating…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   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
      animals
      1. beasten a1387–1834
         Of a beast or beasts; animal.
      2. pecuary 1582
         = pecuarious, adj.
      3. creatural 1642–
         Of or relating to a creature; of the nature of a creature or created being.
      4. pecuarious 1656–58
         Of or relating to animals, esp. cattle.
      5. zoological 1816–
         In extended use: of or relating to animals generally.
      6. zootypic 1853–
         (Originally) of or relating to an animal form or type; (in later use) of or relating to a zootype (zootype, n. (b)).
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. 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
      animals
      1. vivary a1631–
         = vivarium, n. 2. Also figurative. Now rare or Obsolete.
      2. vivarium c1660–
         A place or enclosure, a piece of ground or stretch of water, specially adapted or prepared for the keeping of living animals under their normal…
      3. menagerie 1676–
         A collection of wild animals in cages or enclosures, esp. one kept for exhibition, as in a zoo, etc. Also: a place or building in which such a…
      4. zoological garden 1827–
         Frequently with second element in plural. A park or similar place in which wild animals are kept in enclosures for study, conservation, or display…
      5. zoological 1831–90
         Short for zoological garden, n.; spec. that of the Zoological Society of London at Regent's Park. Cf. zoo, n. 1a. Obsolete.
      6. zoo 1835–
         Originally colloquial. A park or similar place in which wild animals are kept in enclosures for study, conservation, or display to the public. Cf. z…
      7. park 1887–
         A large enclosed area of land used to accommodate wild animals in captivity. Frequently with modifying word.
      8. paradise 1900–
         A park, esp. one enclosing wild animals such as those constructed by rulers of the Ancient Near East.
      9. petting zoo 1965–
         A children's zoo or special zoological display at which visitors may pet the animals.
      View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˌzuːəˈlɒdʒᵻkl/
zoo-uh-LOJ-uh-kuhl
/ˌzəʊəˈlɒdʒᵻkl/
zoh-uh-LOJ-uh-kuhl

### U.S. English

/ˌzuəˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/
zoo-uh-LAH-juh-kuhl
/ˌzoʊəˈlɑdʒək(ə)l/
zoh-uh-LAH-juh-kuhl

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

1. 1700s–
   zoological
2. 1800s
   zöological
3. 1800s–
   zoölogical

## Frequency

zoological typically occurs about 0.6 times per million words in modern written English.

zoological is in frequency band 4, which contains words occurring between 0.1 and 1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zoological, adj. & n., 1770–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1770 | 0.057
1780 | 0.073
1790 | 0.09
1800 | 0.15
1810 | 0.36
1820 | 0.51
1830 | 0.72
1840 | 0.91
1850 | 1.1
1860 | 1.2
1870 | 1.3
1880 | 1.4
1890 | 1.4
1900 | 1.4
1910 | 1.3
1920 | 1.2
1930 | 1.1
1940 | 1.0
1950 | 0.95
1960 | 0.82
1970 | 0.73
1980 | 0.62
1990 | 0.54
2000 | 0.49
2010 | 0.47

### Frequency of zoological, adj. & n., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 0.12
2018 | 0.13
2019 | 0.13
2020 | 0.14
2021 | 0.14
2022 | 0.14
2023 | 0.14
2024 | 0.14

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zoologically, adv. 1799–
   From a zoological point of view; as regards…

1. zoological garden, n. 1827–
   Frequently with second element in plural. A park…

1. medico-zoological, adj. 1861–

1. palaeozoological, adj. 1866–
   Of or relating to palaeozoology.

1. marine zoological, adj. 1885–
   Of or relating to marine zoology.

1. archaeozoological, adj. 1938–
   Of, relating to, or concerned with…

1. cryptozoological, adj. 1961–
   Of or relating to cryptozoology.

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

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