physiology

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *bʰuHyéti Ancient Greek φῠ́ω (phŭ́ō) Proto-Indo-European *-tis Ancient Greek -τις (-tis) Ancient Greek -σῐς (-sĭs) Ancient Greek φύσις (phúsis) Proto-Indo-European *leǵ- Ancient Greek λόγος (lógos) Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-i-eh₂ Proto-Hellenic *-íā Ancient Greek -ῐ́ᾱ (-ĭ́ā) Ancient Greek -λογίᾱ (-logíā) Ancient Greek φῠσῐολογίᾱ (phŭsĭologíā)bor. Latin physiologiabor. French physiologie English physiology From French physiologie, from Latin physiologia, from Ancient Greek φυσιολογία (phusiología, “natural philosophy”), from φύσις (phúsis, “nature”) + λόγος (lógos, “word”). Equivalent to physio- + -logy.

1. A branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved.

   “So he clung to the sides of the vertical tunnel, le wormhole, employing the setules covering his legs, that is, millions of tiny spider-hairs with triangular tips, a wall-creeper physiology if you wish, a hang-upside-down-from-the-ceiling anatomical boon.”

2. The biology and/or form of a living organism.
3. The study and description of natural objects; natural science.