Ethologist: meaning, definitions and examples
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ethologist
[ iˈθɒlədʒɪst ]
animal behavior
An ethologist is a biologist who studies the behavior of animals in their natural environments. They focus on understanding how animals interact with each other and with their surroundings. Ethologists aim to observe and interpret behavioral patterns and instincts that have evolved over time. This field of study often involves fieldwork, where researchers gather data through observation without interfering with the animals. Ethology is considered a branch of zoology but is distinct in its emphasis on the functional aspects of behavior.
Synonyms
animal behaviorist, behaviorist, zoologist
Examples of usage
- The ethologist observed the mating rituals of the birds in the wild.
- Ethologists often spend years studying complex social behaviors in animal species.
- Her work as an ethologist has contributed significantly to our understanding of animal communication.
Translations
Translations of the word "ethologist" in other languages:
🇵🇹 etólogo
🇮🇳 नैतिकज्ञ
🇩🇪 Ethologe
🇮🇩 etolog
🇺🇦 етолог
🇵🇱 etolog
🇯🇵 行動生物学者
🇫🇷 éthologue
🇪🇸 etólogo
🇹🇷 etolog
🇰🇷 행동 생물학자
🇸🇦 علم السلوك
🇨🇿 etolog
🇸🇰 etológ
🇨🇳 行为学家
🇸🇮 etolog
🇮🇸 atferlisfræði
🇰🇿 эволюциялық биолог
🇬🇪 ბიოლოგი ქცევის
🇦🇿 etoloq
🇲🇽 etólogo
Word origin
The term 'ethologist' originates from the Greek words 'ethos', meaning character or custom, and 'logos', meaning study or discourse. Ethology as a scientific discipline began to take shape in the early 20th century, with significant contributions from scientists such as Konrad Lorenz and Nikolaas Tinbergen. They were pioneers in the study of animal behavior and emphasized the importance of observing animals in their natural habitats rather than in laboratories. This approach led to the establishment of ethology as a distinct field within biology, focusing on instinctive and learned behaviors. The historical context of ethology also reflects a growing interest in the behavioral adaptation of animals to their environments, showcasing how evolutionary processes influence behavior. As the field has advanced, ethologists have integrated insights from psychology and ecology, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of behavior across species.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #40,472, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.