Paleontology

google

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mid 19th century: from palaeo- + Greek onta ‘beings’ (neuter plural of ōn, present participle of einai ‘be’) + -logy.

wiktionary

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From French paléontologie. Surface etymology is paleo-(“ancient”) +‎ onto-(“being”) +‎ -logy(“study”).

etymonline

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paleontology (n.)

also palaeontology, "the science of the former life of the Earth, as preserved in fossils," 1833, probably from French paléontologie, from Greek palaios "old, ancient" (see paleo-) + ontologie "science or study of being and the essence of things" (see ontology). Related: Paleontological.