physical anthropology

noun

1. the branch of anthropology dealing with the evolutionary changes in human anatomy and physiology, using mensurational and descriptive techniques.

physical anthropology

noun

1. the branch of anthropology dealing with the genetic aspect of human development and its physical variations

physical anthropology

/ fĭz′ĭ-kəl /

1. The branch of anthropology that deals with human evolutionary biology, physical variation, and classification.
2. Compare cultural anthropology

Other Words From

• physical anthropologist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of physical anthropology¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

In this particular respect, archaeology owes a signal debt to physical anthropology and to anthropological methods in general.

From Project Gutenberg

The first has reference to physical anthropology, and consists of a small collection of typical skulls and hair of races.

From Project Gutenberg