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Definition of physiology - 6 dictionary results

phys⋅i⋅ol⋅o⋅gy

[fiz-ee-ol-uh-jee]
–noun
1. the branch of biology dealing with the functions and activities of living organisms and their parts, including all physical and chemical processes.
2. the organic processes or functions in an organism or in any of its parts.

Origin:
1555–65; < L physiologia < Gk physiología science of natural causes and phenomena. See physio-, -logy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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phys·i·ol·o·gy   (fĭz'ē-ŏl'ə-jē)   
n.  
  1. The biological study of the functions of living organisms and their parts.

  2. All the functions of a living organism or any of its parts.

phys'i·ol'o·gist n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

physiology

The study of the function of living things, including processes such as nutrition, movement, and reproduction. (Compare anatomy and morphology.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

physiology 
1564, "study and description of natural objects," from L. physiologia "natural science, study of nature," from Gk. physiologia "natural science," from physio-, comb. form of physis "nature" (see physic) + logia "study." Meaning "science of the normal function of living things" is attested from 1615.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: phys·i·ol·o·gy
Pronunciation: "fiz-E-'äl-&-jE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -gies
1 : a branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved—compare ANATOMY 1, MORPHOLOGY 1
2 : the organic processes and phenomena of an organism or any of its parts or of a particular bodily process physiology of the thyroid gland>
3 : atreatise on physiology
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

physiology phys·i·ol·o·gy (fĭz'ē-ŏl'ə-jē)
n.
Abbr. phys.

  1. The biological study of the functions of living organisms and their parts.

  2. All the functions of a living organism or any of its parts.


phys'i·ol'o·gist n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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