an·thro·pol·o·gy
(ăn′thrə-pŏl′ə-jē)n.1. The scientific study of the origin, the behavior, and the physical, social, and cultural development of humans.
2. That part of Christian theology concerning the genesis, nature, and future of humans, especially as contrasted with the nature of God: "changing the church's anthropology to include more positive images of women" (Priscilla Hart).
an′thro·po·log′i·cal (-pə-lŏj′ĭ-kəl), an′thro·po·log′ic (-ĭk) adj.
an′thro·po·log′i·cal·ly adv.
an′thro·pol′o·gist n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
anthropology
(ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒɪ) anthropological adj
ˌanthropoˈlogically adv
ˌanthroˈpologist n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
an•thro•pol•o•gy
(ˌæn θrəˈpɒl ə dʒi)
n. the science that deals with the origins, physical and cultural development, biological characteristics, and social customs and beliefs of humankind.
[1585–95]
an`thro•po•log′i•cal (-pəˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl) an`thro•po•log′ic, adj.
an`thro•po•log′i•cal•ly, adv.
an`thro•pol′o•gist, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
an·thro·pol·o·gy
(ăn′thrə-pŏl′ə-jē) The scientific study of humans, especially of their origin, their behavior, and their physical, social, and cultural development.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Anthropology
a specialty that studies the creative achievements of societies, especially those passed on through later generations. Also called culturology.
the theory and work based on the theory that trees were involved in the origin of man. — dendranthropologic, dendranthropological, adj.
ethnocentrism. — ethnocentric, adj.
the belief in the superiority of one’s own group or culture. Also ethnocentricity. — ethnocentric, adj.
the branch of ethnology that studies comparative legal systems.
the study of the origin of distinctive groups or tribes. — ethnogenist, n. — ethnogenic, adj.
the branch of anthropology that studies and describes the individual cultures of mankind. — ethnographer, n. — ethnographic, ethnographical, adj.
the study, often comparative, of the origins and development of the races of mankind. — ethnologist, n. — ethnologic, ethnological, adj.
the description of moral and ethical systems. — ethnographer, n. — ethnographic, ethnographical, adj.
the blending of diverse cultures or traditions.
a person who is a native or inhabitant of an isthmus. — isthmian, adj.
a lake-dweller.
people with smooth hair; a division of mankind characterized by people with such hair. Cf. Ulotrichi. — Leiotrichan, adj.
the state or custom of residing with the family or tribe of the wife, as in certain primitive societies. Cf. patrilocality. — matrilocal, adj.
the state or custom of residing with the family or tribe of the husband, as in certain primitive societies. Cf. matrilocality. — patrilocal, adj.
1. a subdivision of an ancient Greek tribe or phyle.
2. a clan or other unit of a primitive tribe.
the branch of anthropology that studies, describes, and interprets the evolutionary changes in man’s bodily structure and the classification of modern races. Cf. cultural anthropology. Also called somatology
the branch of anthropology that studies human societies, emphasizing interpersonal and intergroup relations.
physical anthropology.
the belief that a part of a person or object can act in place of the whole and thus that anything done to the part will equally affect the whole.
people with woolly, tightly curled, or crisp hair; a division of mankind characterized by people with such hair. — Ulotrichous, adj.
-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
anthropology
1. The study of humankind, including origins, behavior, and institutions.
2. The study of the human race. Known in Britain as social anthropology. Anthropology differs from sociology largely because it developed from a different intellectual tradition. Early anthropologists were motivated by a desire to study primitive societies. On the other hand, the founding fathers of sociology (such as Durkheim, Weber, and Marx) were more concerned with an analysis of industrial societies.
3. The scientific study of humankind, including origins, behavior, religion, institutions, and social and cultural development.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited