somatology

[ soh-muh-tol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the branch of anthropology that deals with human physical characteristics.

somatology

/ ˌsəʊmətəˈlɒdʒɪk; ˌsəʊməˈtɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the branch of biology concerned with the structure and function of the body
2. the branch of anthropology dealing with the physical characteristics of man

Derived Forms

• ˌsomatoˈlogically, adverb
• somatologic, adjective
• ˌsomaˈtologist, noun

Other Words From

• so·mat·o·log·ic [s, uh, -mat-l-, oj, -ik, soh-m, uh, -tl-], soma·to·logi·cal adjective
• so·mato·logi·cal·ly adverb
• soma·tolo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of somatology¹

First recorded in 1730–40; somato- + -logy

Example Sentences

Malibu-based yoga instructor Danielle Cuccio’s line, Cuccio Somatology, has a salve that absorbs into the skin and has a mild eucalyptus scent.

From Los Angeles Times

Malibu-based yoga instructor Danielle Cuccio’s line, Cuccio Somatology, has a salve that absorbs into the skin and has a mild eucalyptus scent.

From Los Angeles Times

These data were drawn from W. W. Howells, "Anthropometry and Blood Types in Fiji and the Solomon Islands" in The American Museum of Natural History, Anthropological Papers, volume 33, part 4, 1933, and from L. R. Sullivan, "A Contribution to Tongan Somatology" based on the field studies of E. W. Gifford and W. C. McKern, in Memoires of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, volume 8, number 4, 1922.

From Project Gutenberg

Sōmatolog′ic, -al, pertaining to somatology, corporeal, physical.—ns.

From Project Gutenberg

Anthropology, again, is sometimes used in the narrower sense implied in the word somatology, the study of the physical structure and distinctive characteristics of the various races of mankind.

From Project Gutenberg