anthropology

an·thro·pol·o·gy

noun \ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jē\

Definition of ANTHROPOLOGY

1

: the science of human beings; especially : the study of human beings and their ancestors through time and space and in relation to physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture

2

: theology dealing with the origin, nature, and destiny of human beings

— an·thro·po·log·i·cal \-pə-ˈlä-ji-kəl\ adjective

— an·thro·po·log·i·cal·ly \-ji-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— an·thro·pol·o·gist \ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jist\ noun

Origin of ANTHROPOLOGY

New Latin anthropologia, from anthrop- + -logia -logy

First Known Use: 1593

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

Rhymes with ANTHROPOLOGY

cosmetology, etymology, genealogy, martyrology, phraseology, radiology

an·thro·pol·o·gy

noun \ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpäl-ə-jē\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; an·thro·pol·o·gies

Medical Definition of ANTHROPOLOGY

: the science of humans; especially : the study of humans in relation to distribution, origin, classification, and relationship of races, physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture

—an·thro·po·log·i·cal \-pə-ˈläj-i-kəl\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

—an·thro·po·log·i·cal·ly \-i-k(ə-)lē\ (audio pronunciation) adverb

—an·thro·pol·o·gist \ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpäl-ə-jəst\ (audio pronunciation) noun

anthropology

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

The “science of humanity.” Anthropologists study human beings in aspects ranging from the biology and evolutionary history of Homo sapiens to the features of society and culture that decisively distinguish humans from other animal species. Because of the diverse subject matter it encompasses, anthropology has become, especially since the middle of the 20th century, a collection of more specialized fields. Physical anthropology is the branch that concentrates on the biology and evolution of humanity. The branches that study the social and cultural constructions of human groups are variously recognized as belonging to cultural anthropology (or ethnology), social anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and psychological anthropology. Archaeology, as the method of investigation of prehistoric cultures, has been an integral part of anthropology since it became a self-conscious discipline in the latter half of the 19th century.