The study of Earth's rocks, minerals, and internal structure and composition.
From Greek geo- (Earth) + -gnosy (knowledge), derived from gignoskein (to know). This term emerged in the late 18th century as a more specific term for understanding Earth's physical materials, predating the modern term 'geology.'
Geognosy was what scientists called the study of rocks before 'geology' became the standard term—it's like how we once said 'natural philosophy' before 'science' took over, showing how field names evolve as knowledge grows and terminology standardizes.
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