Mythologians

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who study, analyze, or interpret myths and mythological traditions from various cultures
2. Scholars dedicated to the exploration of folklore, legends, and narratives that define cultural identities through myth
3. Experts in the field of mythology, examining the significance and meanings behind traditional stories and deities across different societies

Etymology: "Mythologian" is a plural noun form, and its singular is "mythologian," which is built from "mythology" with the suffix "-ian." The suffix "-ian" is used to form nouns denoting a person connected with a field or body of knowledge, so a mythologian is one who studies or practises mythology. "Mythology" itself comes from the Greek "mythologia," combining "mythos," meaning "story" or "word," with "logia," meaning "speaking" or "study of." The word "mythologian" follows the same pattern as older person-nouns like "historian" and "physician," so it reads as a straightforward formation rather than a coinage with a notable backstory.

Synonyms: mythologists, folklorists