[ad. mod.L. zōotomia (M. A. Severinus, 1645): see ZOO- and -TOMY.] The anatomy of animals; the dissection, or the science of the structure, of animal bodies; in mod. use esp. comparative anatomy.
1663. Boyle, Usef. Exp. Nat. Philos., II. i. 21. The naturalist by his Zootomy, may be very serviceable to the Physitian in his anatomical inquiries.
1697. Phil. Trans., XIX. 558. Zootomy is either for compleating natural History,… or for the better Attainment of the Cure of Diseases.
1797. S. James, Narr. Voy., 156. The cook … lives in East Smithfield, where he exercises the trade of zootomy.
1870. Rolleston, Anim. Life, Pref. p. v. To combine the concrete facts of Zootomy with the outlines of systematic Classification.
1872. Mivart, Anat., 74. This lower jaw—or, as it is called in zootomy, mandible.
1875. W. Turner, in Encycl. Brit., I. 799/1. [Anatomy] resolves itself into … Animal Anatomy or Zootomy,… and Vegetable Anatomy or Phytotomy.
So Zootomic, Zootomical adjs., belonging or relating to zootomy; Zootomically adv., in relation to or in the way of zootomy; Zootomist, one versed in zootomy; one who dissects, or who studies the structure of, animal bodies; in mod. use esp. a comparative anatomist.
1887. Nature, 17 Nov., 70/1. The *zootomic and embryological works of the last ten years.
1833. R. E. Grant, in Lancet, 12 Oct., 93/2. The *zootomical investigations of Moreschi of Milan.
1870. Rolleston, Anim. Life, Pref. p. v. A Zootomical account of its various Sub-kingdoms.
1849–52. Todd’s Cycl. Anat., IV. 873/1. The investigation of the whole of this vast subject, *zootomically.
1688. Boyle, Final Causes, iv. 223. The remarks of *Zootomists.
1797. S. James, Narr. Voy., 156. The cook … by profession a zootomist.
1879. Lewes, Probl. Life & Mind, Ser. III. I. 132. If the biologist recognises the many points of community in animal structures, the zootomist has to insist on the points of diversity.
