zoo
UK: zuː | US: zuː
n. a facility where live animals are kept for public exhibition, study, or conservation.
zoo = zo<animal> + o<abbreviation suffix>
- zo (from Greek zōion, meaning "animal")
- o (a colloquial abbreviation suffix, often used to shorten words in English)
Etymology Origin:
The word "zoo" is a clipped form of "zoological garden," where "zoological" derives from Greek zōion (animal) + -logia (study). The abbreviation "zoo" emerged in the mid-19th century as a casual term, reflecting English's tendency to shorten long compound words. The morpheme "zo" preserves the original Greek root meaning "animal," while the suffix "-o" serves as a familiar truncation marker.
The children were excited to visit the zoo and see the lions.
Modern zoos focus on conservation and education.
She volunteers at the local zoo every weekend.
The zoo announced the birth of a rare panda cub.
Critics argue that some zoos prioritize entertainment over animal welfare.