ethnology

[ eth-nol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. a branch of anthropology that analyzes cultures, especially in regard to their historical development and the similarities and dissimilarities between them.
2. (formerly) a branch of cultural anthropology dealing with the origin, distribution, and distinguishing characteristics of human societies.

ethnology

/ ɛθˈnɒlədʒɪ; ˌɛθnəˈlɒdʒɪk /

noun

1. the branch of anthropology that deals with races and peoples, their relations to one another, their origins, and their distinctive characteristics

ethnology

1. 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 (see also symbol ), and rituals.

Derived Forms

• ethˈnologist, noun
• ˌethnoˈlogically, adverb
• ethnologic, adjective

Other Words From

• eth·no·log·i·cal [eth-n, uh, -, loj, -i-k, uh, l], ethno·logic adjective
• ethno·logi·cal·ly adverb
• eth·nolo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethnology¹

First recorded in 1835–45; ethno- + -logy

Example Sentences

Vodou also has countless lwas, although Ogou Je Wouj — the god of red eyes — has grown more significant to Haitians given the lack of security in the country, said Erol Josué, a singer, oungan and director of Haiti’s National Bureau of Ethnology.

From Seattle Times

Valdimar Hafstein, a professor of folkloristics/ethnology at the University of Iceland, wrote in a 2018 book, “Making Intangible Heritage: El Condor Pasa and Other Stories From UNESCO,” that, given Robles’ travel through the Amazon and Andes to collect myths and music, part of a widespread tradition of “collector-composers,” it can be hard to describe the tune as either Robles’ original or an arrangement.

From Seattle Times

Stiofán Ó Cadhla is a senior lecturer in folklore and ethnology in University College Cork.

From BBC

The parcels were finally opened on Thursday by a team of experts, observed by two academics from the Faroe Islands: Professor Erling Isholm, from the University of the Faroe Islands, and Margretha Nónklett, head of ethnology at the Faroes' National Museum.

From BBC

Called “Harlem on My Mind: Cultural Capital of Black America, 1900—1968,” it was a photomural-with-texts affair of a kind found in ethnology museums.

From New York Times

Related Words

• civilization
• development
• folklore
• habit
• knowledge
• lifestyle
• society
• way of life