somatology

noun

so·​ma·​tol·​o·​gy ˌsō-mə-ˈtä-lə-jē How to pronounce somatology (audio)
: a branch of anthropology primarily concerned with the comparative study of human evolution, variation, and classification especially through measurement and observation
somatological
ˌsō-mə-tə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce somatology (audio)
sō-ˌma-
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin somatologia, from somat- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

circa 1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of somatology was circa 1878

Dictionary Entries Near somatology

somatogenic variation

somatology

somatome

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Somatology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/somatology. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

somatology

noun
so·​ma·​tol·​o·​gy ˌsō-mə-ˈtäl-ə-jē How to pronounce somatology (audio)
plural somatologies
: physical anthropology
somatological
ˌsō-mət-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce somatology (audio)
adjective
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