ethnobiology

[ eth-noh-bahy-ol-uh-jee ]

noun

, Anthropology.

1. the scientific study of the way plants and animals are treated or used by different human cultures.
2. (no longer in technical use) the doctrine that cultural behavior is determined biologically.

ethnobiology

/ ˌɛθnəʊbaɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the branch of biology involving the study of the uses of plants and animals in various human societies

Other Words From

• eth·no·bi·o·log·i·cal [eth-noh-bahy-, uh, -, loj, -i-k, uh, l], adjective
• ethno·bi·olo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethnobiology¹

ethno- + biology

Example Sentences

“But when dogs are interacting with women in a particular society, dogs are more likely to have names, be treated as family, as kin, to be buried and mourned when they died,” says Professor Robert Quinlan, of WSU’s anthropology department and one of three authors of the recently published paper in the Journal of Ethnobiology,

From Seattle Times

But a recent paper published in Journal of Ethnobiology gathers reports that all three species do spread wildfires for hunting purposes.

From New York Times

The anecdotes, compiled in a recent study published in the Journal of Ethnobiology, may lead some to rethink how fires spread through tropical savannas like those in northern Australia.

From National Geographic

As regards the first question, an entire field of science, termed ethnobiology, studies peoples’ knowledge of the wild plants and animals in their environment.

From Literature

Nabhan is signing copies of his latest book, “Ethnobiology for the Future,” prior to his talk.

From Washington Times