anthropology

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the social science that studies the origins and social relationships of human beings

   My study of anthropology informs my sociological research.

2. 2
   noun

   The scientific study of humans, systematically describing the ethnographic, linguistic, archaeological, and evolutionary dimensions of humanity using a holistic methodological framework.

   According to anthropology, there are six basic patterns of kinship terminology or kin naming systems.

3. 3
   noun

   The study of humanity in its relation to the divine, as in Christian anthropology.

Etymology

From New Latin anthropologia, from Ancient Greek ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, “human, mankind”) + -λογία (-logía). By surface analysis, anthropo- + -logy.