anthropometry

[ an-thruh-pom-i-tree ]

noun

1. the measurement of the size and proportions of the human body.

anthropometry

/ ˌænθrəpəˈmɛtrɪk; ˌænθrəˈpɒmɪtrɪ /

noun

1. the comparative study of sizes and proportions of the human body

anthropometry

/ ăn′thrə-pŏm′ĭ-trē /

1. The study of human body measurement for use in anthropological classification and comparison. The use of such data as skull dimensions and body proportions in the attempt to classify human beings into racial, ethnic, and national groups has been largely discredited, but anthropometric techniques are still used in physical anthropology and paleoanthropology, especially to study evolutionary change in fossil hominid remains.

Derived Forms

• ˌanthroˈpometrist, noun
• ˌanthropoˈmetrically, adverb
• anthropometric, adjective

Other Words From

• an·thro·po·met·ric [an-thr, uh, -p, uh, -, me, -trik, -poh-], an·thro·po·met·ri·cal adjective
• an·thro·pom·e·trist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of anthropometry¹

First recorded in 1830–40; anthropo- + -metry

Example Sentences

The hard evidence that law enforcement did collect was often based on pseudoscience such as anthropometry.

From Time

I read Anthropometry of Algerian Women and Optimum Handle Height for a Push-Pull Type Manually Operated Dryland Weeder.

From The Daily Beast

These full and clear remarks seem even more applicable to the method of finger prints than to that of anthropometry.

From Project Gutenberg

I am going to headquarters to ask them to send experts in anthropometry.

From Project Gutenberg

The field of the measurement of physical traits is dignified by the name "anthropometry."

From Project Gutenberg

Anthropometry, the systematic examination of the height, weight, and other physical characteristics of the human body.

From Project Gutenberg

We shall catch our criminals by anthropometry ere ever a criminal thought has entered their brains.

From Project Gutenberg