Carcinology

/ˌkɑrsɪˈnɒlədʒi/ noun

Definition

The branch of zoology that studies crustaceans, especially crabs and related creatures.

Etymology

From Greek 'karkinos' (crab) plus '-logy' (study of). The term established this as a recognized scientific discipline by the mid-1800s when naturalists formalized the study of marine life.

Kelly Says

Carcinology proves that ancient Greek 'karkinos' meant crab first, and cancer second—Hippocrates called cancer 'karkinos' because tumors looked like crabs with tentacles spreading into tissue.

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