cosmology
    n 1: the metaphysical study of the origin and nature of the
         universe
    2: the branch of astrophysics that studies the origin and
       evolution and structure of the universe [syn: cosmology,
       cosmogony, cosmogeny]

cosmology \cos*mol"o*gy\ (k[o^]z*m[o^]l"[-o]*j[y^]), n. [Gr.
   ko`smos the world + -logy: cf. F. cosmologie.]
   1. The branch of science or philosophy dealing with the
      origin and nature of the universe as a whole. specifically
      (a) (Philosophy) the branch of metaphysics speculating on
          the structure and nature of the most fundamental parts
          of the system of creation, such as space and time, the
          elements of bodies, the structure of the universe, the
          modifications of material things, causality, the laws
          of motion, and the order and course of nature.
      (b) (Astronomy) the branch of astronomy dealing with the
          origin and structure of the universe, including the
          evolution of its present observable structure, using
          the methods of observational astronomy as well as
          mathematical physics.
          [1913 Webster +PJC]

   2. a treatise dealing with the original and structure of the
      universe.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]