Bertillon system
noun
Ber·til·lon system
ˈbər-tə-ˌlän- 
ˈber-tē-ˌyōⁿ-
ˈber-tē-ˌyōⁿ-
: a system for identifying persons based on bodily measurements, photographs, and notation of data (such as markings, color, and thumb line impressions)
Word History
Etymology
Alphonse Bertillon †1914 French criminologist
First Known Use
1888, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near Bertillon system
Cite this Entry
“Bertillon system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bertillon%20system. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on Bertillon system
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Bertillon system
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share