etiology, etiology (etioloji)

[ Morphology, distribution, and physiology investigate and determine the facts of biology. Etiology has for its abject the ascertainment of the causes of these facts, and the explanation of biological phenomena, by showing that they constitute particular cases of general physical laws. It is hardly needful to say that etiology, as thus conceived, is in its infancy. Huxley, Anat. Invert., p. 37. 2. Specifically, in med., an inquiry into or account of the origin or causes of disease, or of a particular kind or case of disease. Sometimes written a it i ology . aëtites (a-e-ti'tēz), n. [L., [L., Gr. ἀετίτης , eaglestone, ἀετός , eagle.] Same as eaglestone . Etnean, a. See Etnean.