| 释义 |
cosmogony|kɒzˈmɒgənɪ|
[ad. Gr. κοσµογονί-α creation of the world, f. κόσµο-ς world + -γονια a begetting (cf. κοσµογόνος adj. world-creating). In mod.F. cosmogonie. Cf. cosmogeny.]
1. The generation or creation of the existing universe.
[1678Cudworth Intell. Syst. 248 (R.) It was a most ancient..tradition amongst the Pagans..that the cosmogonia or generation of the world took its first beginning from a chaos.] 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. xiv, Yet the cosmogony, or creation of the world, has puzzled philosophers of all ages. 1809W. Irving Knickerb. i. ii. (1849) 36 That I should proceed to notice the cosmogony or formation of this our globe. 1859Kingsley Misc. (1860) I. 306 He uses strange tools in His cosmogony, but He does not use them in vain.
2. a. The subject of the generation of the universe, as a study or branch of learning.
1777G. Forster Voy. round World II. 155 Teachers..who are skilled in theogony and cosmogony. 1856Farmer's Mag. Jan. 16 It is little more than fifty years since the speculations of cosmogony were abandoned. 1871Tyndall Fragm. Sc. (1879) II. iii. 40 In his mind..cosmogony and religion were indissolubly associated.
b. A theory, system, or account of the creation or generation of the universe.
1696Whiston Th. Earth iv. (1722) 312 The Mosaick Cosmogony..supposes the Waters to have encompass'd the Globe. 1748Hartley Observ. Man ii. ii. 87 There were many Cosmogonies and Theogonies current amongst the Pagans. 1855Milman Lat. Chr. (1863) II. 32 The vast and imaginative cosmogonies of the East. |