photologyn.
/fəʊˈtɒlədʒi/, U.S. /foʊˈtɑlədʒi/ The branch of physics that deals with the properties and phenomena of light; optics.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > [noun] > science of
optic1563
optics1579
photology1828
photics1858
1828 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Photology, the doctrine or science of light, explaining its nature and phenomena. Mitchill.
1833 J. F. W. Herschel Familiar Lect. Sci. Subj. (1866) 477 The phœnomena of absorption..have always appeared to me to constitute a branch of photology sui generis.
1881 S. Fleming in Science 5 Feb. 53/1 Acoustics (or photology) is grouped with physical optics.
1901 J. W. Powell in Amer. Anthropologist 3 604 I call these sciences photology, magnetology, thermology, barology, and electrology.
1918 C. H. Sharp in Science 9 Aug. 140/2 The Science of..Light... Proposed designation... Photology.
1980 Summary of World Broadcasts Pt. 3: Far East Weekly Econ. Rep. (B.B.C.) (Nexis) 17 Sept. FE/W1100/A/9 Since the beginning of 1980 the Shanghai photology institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has scored achievements in 22 laser science research projects.
2001 Hypatia (Nexis) 31 Jan. 106 The dichotomy between visible and invisible is itself a framing of photology that gives light its texture.
Derivatives
photoˈlogic adj. rare Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > [adjective] > science of
optical1570
photologic1828
photological1828
1828 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Photologic.
photoˈlogical adj. rare
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > [adjective] > science of
optical1570
photologic1828
photological1828
1828 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Photological.
1865 All Year Round 11 Mar. 149/1 Photological phenomena are made known to us by..the sense of sight.
1979 Diacritics 9 9 Islam..participates in the same repressing and photological metaphors we like to consider our own property.
2000 Hypatia (Nexis) 30 Apr. 202 Given the nexus between light and vision, it is not surprising that the photological tenets of western philosophy also underpin western forms of visual representation.
phoˈtologist n. rare an expert in the properties and effects of light.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > [noun] > science of > student of
photologist1833
1833 J. F. W. Herschel Familiar Lect. Sci. Subj. (1866) 479 The question ‘What becomes of light?’ which appears to have been agitated among the photologists of the last century.
1918 Science 9 Aug. 140/2 (table) Designation of specialist: mechanologist, phonologist, thermologist, photologist, electrologist.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1828