pedology

/pəˈdɑlədʒi/

Pedology is the study of soil, including the way it formed and evolved.

The Greek root of pedology is pedon, "ground" or "earth." An earlier definition was "the study of children," from a different Greek word meaning "boy." A soil scientist who specializes in the field of pedology is focused on the way soil forms and how different types are distributed geographically. Pedology often involves mapping and classifying soil as well.

Definitions of pedology

1. noun

   the branch of science that studies soil
2. noun

   the composition of soil in a particular area
3. noun

   the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of infants and children
   synonyms: paediatrics, pediatric medicine, pediatrics

   types:

   neonatology

   that branch of pediatric medicine concerned with the newborn; the diagnosis and treatment of neonates

   type of:

   medical specialty, medicine

   the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques