What is "palaetiology"

palaetiology \palaetiology\, Palaetiology \Pa*l[ae]`ti*ol"o*gy\, n. [Pal[ae]o- + [ae]tiology.] The science which explains, by the law of causation, the past condition and changes of the earth; the explanation of past events in terms of scientific causes, such as geological causes. -- Pa*l[ae]`ti*o*log"ic*al, a.

Syn: paletiology.

n. The science that explains, by the law of causation, the past condition and changes of the Earth.

n. the explanation of past events in terms of scientific causes (as geological causes) [syn: paletiology]