gerontology (n.)

1903, coined in English from geronto-, used as combining form of Greek geron (genitive gerontos) "old man," from PIE root *gere- (1) "to grow old."

Entries linking to gerontology

*gere- (1)

*gerə-, Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to grow old." It forms all or part of: geriatric; geriatrics; gerontocracy; gerontology.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit jara "old age," jarati "makes frail, causes to age;" Avestan zaurvan "old age;" Greek geron "old man;" Ossetic zarond "old man;" Armenian cer "old, old man."

gerontologist (n.)

1941, from gerontology + -ist.

Zoroastrian (adj.)

1743, from Zoroaster, from Latin Zoroastres, from Old Persian Zarathushtra, 6c. or 7c. B.C.E. Persian religious teacher. The name appears to be literally "whose camels are old," from *zarant "old" (cognate with Greek geron, genitive gerontos "old;" see gerontology) + ushtra "camel." As a noun from 1811.

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updated on November 01, 2017

Definitions of gerontology from WordNet

gerontology (n.)

the branch of medical science that deals with diseases and problems specific to old people;

Synonyms: geriatrics

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near gerontology

germination

germy

Geronimo

gerontocracy

gerontologist

gerontology

gerrymander

Gertrude

gerund

gerundive

Gervais