rare. ? Obs. [ad. mod. L. zōonomia (E. Darwin, 1794), which (after ASTRONOMY, q.v.) should properly mean ‘arrangement of animals, zoological classification,’ but taken as f. Gr. ζῴον animal (or ζωή life) + νόμος law.] The science of the laws of animal or organic life; physiology. So Zoonomic (in mod. Dicts.), Zoonomical adjs., pertaining or relating to zoonomy; Zoonomist, one who is versed in or treats of zoonomy.
1800. Med. Jrnl., III. 282. The Zoonomical inquirer, whicn he attempts to explain organic and animal phenomena, should renounce all … unfounded hypotheses. Ibid. The Zoonomist must endeavour to avoid all partial and incomplete explanations.
1815. T. Forster (title), Sketch of the New Anatomy and Physiology of the Brain and Nervous System of Drs. Gall and Spurzheim, considered as comprehending a complete system of Zoonomy.
1861. J. Brown, Horæ Subsec., Ser. II. 375. If we could … give ear to the teaching of an enlightened zoonomy, we might soon drive many of our fellest diseases out of our breed.
