Meanings
nounoryctics (uncountable)
- uncountableThe branch of geology relating to fossils.
He added that his friend is about to sell his books and buy a spade, with a view to graduating with honours in Oryctics.
1888 January, Robert Yelverton Tyrrell, in The Fortnightly Review, page 57Synonyms: oryctology
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe branch of geology relating to fossils.
Similar
Origin
- Ancient Greekὀρυκτικός“fit for digging or mining”
- Englishoryctics
From Ancient Greek ὀρυκτικός (oruktikós, “fit for digging or mining”), from ὀρυκτός (oruktós, “dug up”).
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
oryctics. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/oryctics
MLA
“oryctics.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/oryctics. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “oryctics,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/oryctics.
Source: oryctics on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.