phrenology

[ fri-nol-uh-jee, fre- ]

noun
  1. a psychological theory or analytical method based on the belief that certain mental faculties and character traits are indicated by the configurations of the skull.

Origin of phrenology

1
An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; phreno- + -logy

Other words from phrenology

  • phren·o·log·ic [fren-l-oj-ik], /ˌfrɛn lˈɒdʒ ɪk/, phren·o·log·i·cal, adjective
  • phren·o·log·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • phre·nol·o·gist, noun

Words Nearby phrenology

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use phrenology in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for phrenology

phrenology

/ (frɪˈnɒlədʒɪ) /


noun
  1. (formerly) the branch of science concerned with localization of function in the human brain, esp determination of the strength of the faculties by the shape and size of the skull overlying the parts of the brain thought to be responsible for them

Derived forms of phrenology

  • phrenological (ˌfrɛnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjective
  • phrenologist, noun

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