n.
Pronunciation: ˌ sp ē -l ē - ' ä-l ə -j ē , ˌ spe-
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin speleum cave (fr. Greek sp ē laion ) + International Scientific Vocabulary -o- + -logy ― more at SPELUNKER
Date: 1895
: the scientific study or exploration of caves
– spe · le · o · log · i · cal \ ˌ sp ē -l ē - ə - ' lä-ji-k ə l, ˌ spe- \ adjective
– spe · le · ol · o · gist \ ˌ sp ē -l ē - ' ä-l ə -jist, ˌ spe- \ noun