thremmatology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Extremely Rare
UK/ˌθrɛməˈtɒlədʒi/US/ˌθrɛməˈtɑːlədʒi/

Technical/Formal

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Quick answer

What does “thremmatology” mean?

The branch of biology concerned with the breeding and cultivation of animals and plants.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The branch of biology concerned with the breeding and cultivation of animals and plants; animal and plant husbandry.

The science dealing with the principles and practices of breeding domesticated organisms to develop and improve desirable traits.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No regional differences in usage; the term is equally obscure in both varieties.

Connotations

Archaising and academic; suggests a classical or historical context.

Frequency

Virtually never used in modern texts; occasionally appears in historical or very specific academic works.

Grammar

How to Use “thremmatology” in a Sentence

thremmatology + of + [organism]studies + in + thremmatology

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
principles of thremmatologyscience of thremmatology
medium
studies in thremmatologyapplication of thremmatology
weak
agricultural thremmatologymodern thremmatology

Examples

Examples of “thremmatology” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • The thremmatological principles were outlined in the 19th-century treatise.

American English

  • Thremmatological practices have evolved significantly since antiquity.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Rare, only in historical contexts of agricultural or biological science.

Everyday

Never used.

Technical

Extremely rare; 'selective breeding' or specific breeding terms are preferred.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “thremmatology”

Strong

animal husbandry (for animals)plant breeding (for plants)

Neutral

breeding science

Weak

cultivation sciencedomestication studies

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “thremmatology”

wildlife conservationpreservation of wild strains

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “thremmatology”

  • Misspelling as 'thermatology' or 'thrematology'.
  • Using it as a common synonym for modern 'genetics'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is an extremely rare and archaic term. Modern equivalents like 'animal breeding', 'selective breeding', or 'breeding science' are used instead.

It derives from Greek 'thremma' (nursling, foster-child) and '-logia' (study of).

Yes, historically it encompassed the breeding and cultivation of both animals and plants.

Yes. Thremmatology refers to the practical science of breeding organisms, often based on observable traits. Genetics is the broader modern study of genes and heredity, which underpins and has largely replaced the older term.

The branch of biology concerned with the breeding and cultivation of animals and plants.

Thremmatology is usually technical/formal in register.

Thremmatology: in British English it is pronounced /ˌθrɛməˈtɒlədʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌθrɛməˈtɑːlədʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'THRemmatology' = 'THRiving & bREeding of aniMATS' (pets/animals) + 'OLOGY' (the study of).

Conceptual Metaphor

BREEDING IS A CONTROLLED SCIENCE

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The historical text discussed as it was understood before the advent of modern genetics.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary focus of thremmatology?