The term 'STUDY OF THE PAST' can be summarized as the study of HISTORY, which is a seven-letter word. HISTORY is the study of past events, people, and cultures, and it is an important part of understanding the present. It is a field of study that covers a wide range of topics, from political and economic events to social and cultural developments. HISTORY helps us to understand how the world has changed over time and how different societies have interacted with each other.