geognosy
/dʒɪˈɒɡnəsi/noun
The description and classification of the rocks and rock formations (and, in later use, other inorganic substances) of which the earth consists; the branch of natural science (or later of geology) dealing with this. Now chiefly historical.
- As a field of study geognosy was associated particularly with the German scientist A. G. Werner (1749–1817) and his followers, and was held to differ from geology in being more strictly based on observation as opposed to theory..
Origin
Late 18th century. From geo- + -gnosy, after German Geognosie. Compare French géognosie and earlier German Lithogeognosie and French lithogéognosie.