Wordiyozoo
GreekVariants
Related Roots
About This Root
From Greek zōion (animal, living being), derived from zōē (life). In English it anchors the field of animal science — zoology, zoologist, zoological — and the familiar shortening 'zoo' (from zoological garden). It also appears in geological terminology: Mesozoic (middle-animal era) marks a major dinosaur age. The variant 'zodiac' literally means 'circle of animals,' reflecting ancient Greek star-mapping.
Associated Words
mesozoic
The geological era of dinosaurs, 252–66 million years ago
zodiac
The twelve astrological signs representing divisions of the sky; the zodiacal belt
zoo
A park where wild animals are exhibited; a chaotic place
zookeeper
A person who cares for animals at a zoo
zoological
Relating to animals or zoology
zoologist
A scientist who studies animals
zoology
The scientific study of animals
zoophilist
A person who loves and cares for animals
zoophilous
Fond of animals; pollinated by animals