Definition

1. Noun:
   • The scientific study of humanity: "Anthropology" is the social science that studies human beings, their biological evolution, physical characteristics, cultural development, and social relationships across time and space.
   • The holistic study of human societies and cultures: It examines the full scope of human diversity, from ancient origins to contemporary societies, integrating insights from biological, archaeological, linguistic, and sociocultural perspectives.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She decided to major in anthropology to better understand different cultural practices.
  • Biological anthropology explores the evolution of the human species.
  • His fieldwork in anthropology involved living with a remote community for two years.

Advanced Usage

• "the anthropology of...": used to specify a particular focus of anthropological study.
  • Her research focuses on the anthropology of religion and ritual.
• "anthropological perspective": a viewpoint that considers cultural and social contexts.
  • Viewing the conflict from an anthropological perspective reveals its deep historical roots.

Variants and Related Words

• Anthropological (adj): relating to anthropology.
  • The museum has an impressive anthropological collection of artifacts.
• Anthropologist (n): a person who studies or is an expert in anthropology.
  • The anthropologist published a groundbreaking study on kinship systems.

Synonyms

• Ethnology: (a subfield of anthropology) the comparative study of cultures.
• Human science: a broader term for academic disciplines that study human life and activities.

Related Phrases

• Cultural anthropology: the branch of anthropology focused on the study of cultural variation among humans.
  • Cultural anthropology often involves participant observation.
• Physical anthropology: the branch of anthropology that studies the biological development of humans.
  • Physical anthropology examines fossil records to trace human evolution.

Related Idioms

• To take an anthropological view: to look at a situation with a focus on cultural and social factors, often implying a detached, analytical stance.
  • Instead of judging their customs, he tried to take an anthropological view.

Noun

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