matæology
(mætiːˈɒlədʒɪ)
Also 7 mateologie.
[f. Gr. µάταιος vain + -λογία discourse: see -logy.]
Vain or unprofitable discourse.
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., Mateologie (matæologia) vain enquiry, or over curious search into high matters and mysteries. 1873 F. Hall Mod. Eng. 37 The bead-roll of matæology embodied in the extract here following. |
So † matæoˈlogian, one who discourses vainly; † matæoˈlogical a., of or pertaining to ‘matæology’, vain; † matæologue, an unprofitable talker.
| 1653 Urquhart Rabelais i. xv, The doting mateologians of old time. 1716 M. Davies Athen. Brit. II. 184 The matæological forestalling of the Apocalyptick Chronology of the end of time. Ibid. 168 Those Sacerdotal-Secular Matæologues of Doway and Lisbon. |