e|ti|ol|o|gy

e|ti|ol|o|gy «_EE tee OL uh jee», noun.

1. the science that deals with origins or causes.

2. a) the theory of the causes of disease. b) the cause or causes of a disease.

3. the act or process of assigning a cause. Also, aetiology.

╂[< Late Latin aetiologia < Greek aitiologíā < aitíā cause + légein speak]