Anthropology
/ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒi/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe study of humans, their societies, and cultures.
Extra definitions
nounThe scientific study of people, past and present.
nounThe scientific study of humans, systematically describing the ethnographic, linguistic, archaeological, and evolutionary dimensions of humanity using a holistic methodological framework.
nounThe study of humanity in its relation to the divine, as in Christian anthropology.
Sentence Examples
She chose anthropology as her major.
Anthropology examines human cultures.
His research in anthropology focuses on migration.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
None
Word Origin & History
From New Latin anthropologia, from Ancient Greek ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, “human, mankind”) + -λογία (-logía). By surface analysis, anthropo- + -logy.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
“As another man has an ardour for art or music, or natural science, Mr. Pen said that anthropology was his favourite pursuit; and had his eyes always eagerly open to its infinite varieties and beauties: contemplating with an unfailing delight all specimens of it in all places to which he resorted […]”
— 1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 47, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC:
“What I really liked about cyborg anthropology is that it crossed multiple fields of study.”
— 2012 December 5, Amber Case, “Cyborg anthropologist: We can all be superhuman”, in CNN:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
She chose ____ as her major.