ethnology

eth·nol·o·gy   (ěth-nŏl'ə-jē)    n.   The science that analyzes and compares human cultures, as in social structure, language, religion, and technology; cultural anthropology. The branch of anthropology that deals with the origin, distribution, and characteristics of human racial groups. eth'no·log'ic (ěth'nə-lŏj'ĭk), eth'no·log'i·cal adj., eth'no·log'i·cal·ly adv., eth·nol'o·gist n.

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, and rituals.

Main Entry: eth·nol·o·gy
Pronunciation: eth-'näl-&-jE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -gies
1 : a science that deals with the division of human beings into races and their origin, distribution, relations, and characteristics
2 : anthropology dealing chiefly with thecomparative and analytical study of cultures : CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY —eth·no·log·i·cal /"eth-n&-'läj-i-k&l/ also eth·no·log·ic /-ik/ adjective