ethnology

[ eth-nol-uh-jee ]
/ ɛθˈnɒl ə dʒi /

noun

a branch of anthropology that analyzes cultures, especially in regard to their historical development and the similarities and dissimilarities between them.
(formerly) a branch of cultural anthropology dealing with the origin, distribution, and distinguishing characteristics of human societies.

Origin of ethnology

First recorded in 1835–45; ethno- + -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM ethnology

eth·no·log·i·cal [eth-nuh-loj-i-kuh l] /ˌɛθ nəˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, eth·no·log·ic, adjective eth·no·log·i·cal·ly, adverb eth·nol·o·gist, noun

Words nearby ethnology

ethnography, ethnography of speaking, ethnohistory, ethnol., ethnolinguistics, ethnology, ethnomedicine, ethnomethodology, ethnomusicology, ethnonym, ethnonymics

Example sentences from the Web for ethnologist

British Dictionary definitions for ethnologist

ethnology
/ (ɛθˈnɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the branch of anthropology that deals with races and peoples, their relations to one another, their origins, and their distinctive characteristics

Derived forms of ethnology

ethnologic (ˌɛθnəˈlɒdʒɪk) or ethnological, adjective ethnologically, adverb ethnologist, noun

Cultural definitions for ethnologist

ethnology
[ (eth-nol-uh-jee) ]

The study of contemporary cultures, in order to develop a theoretical framework for analyzing human society. Cultural anthropologists generally study societies by living among the people, observing, interviewing, and participating in their activities. More than simply describing the customs of these societies, anthropologists attempt to uncover underlying patterns and structures of cultural characteristics, such as language, mythology, gender roles, symbols (see also symbol), and rituals.