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.
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, nounWords nearby ethnology
Example sentences from the Web for ethnology
British Dictionary definitions for ethnology
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, nounCultural definitions for ethnology
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.