Word of the week

Aetiology (ee-tee-OL-uh-jee)

1. : the cause or causes of a disease or abnormal condition
2. : a branch of medical science dealing with the causes and origin of diseases
3. : The study of origins - non-philological etymology.

I came across this in a Grace Theological article discussing the origins of the ancient concept of the snake as a source of dark wisdom. The article spoke of the aetiology of the snake idea.