ENGLISH
REFERENCE

anthropology

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˌænθɹəˈpɑɫədʒi// UK //ˌænθɹəpˈɒlədʒi// an·thro·pol·o·gy

n. the study of humans, including how they live, their history, and their cultures. It looks at how people in different parts of the world are similar or different.

n. the comparative study of human societies, cultures, and their development. Often divided into sub-disciplines such as social, cultural, linguistic, and biological branches.


SIMPLE

She decided to study anthropology to learn about different cultures.

CONTEXTUAL

A degree in anthropology provides students with a deep understanding of how social norms vary across different global communities.

COMPLEX

The department's research in urban anthropology examines how migrant populations negotiate identity and space within rapidly expanding megacities.

Origin

From New Latin anthropologia, from Ancient Greek ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, “human, mankind”) + -λογία (-logía). By surface analysis, anthropo- + -logy.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the academic field; can be countable when referring to a specific body of work or a specific school of thought.

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