noun
or ae·ti·ol·o·gy ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈäləjē, -ji ; also ai·ti·ol·o·gy ˌī], ˌā]
( -es )
Etymology: Medieval Latin aetiologia allegation of a cause or reason, from Greek aitiologia, from aitia cause + -logia -logy; akin to Latin aemulus rivaling, envious, rival, Old Irish āes age, Greek ainumai I take, seize, aisa destiny, share, Avestan aéta- punishment
1. : cause , origin
etiology of an old custom
specifically : all of the causes of a disease or an abnormality
etiology of malaria
etiology of crown rot
2.
a. : a science or doctrine of causation or of the demonstration of causes
b. : a branch of knowledge concerned with the causes of particular phenomena ; specifically : a branch of medical science concerned with the causes and origins of diseases