ethnology
UK: eθˈnɒlədʒi | US: eθˈnɑːlədʒi
n. the branch of anthropology that studies and compares human cultures, societies, and their development.
The word "ethnology" combines the Greek root ethno- (from ethnos, meaning "nation" or "people") and -logy (from -logia, meaning "study of"). It emerged in the early 19th century as a scientific discipline focused on comparative cultural analysis. The term reflects the Enlightenment-era interest in systematizing knowledge about human societies, evolving from earlier ethnographic observations to a structured academic field.
Ethnology explores the cultural practices of indigenous tribes.
Her research in ethnology compares kinship systems across Southeast Asia.
The museum’s ethnology department houses artifacts from over 100 cultures.
Modern ethnology often intersects with sociology and linguistics.
His doctoral thesis contributed significantly to the field of ethnology.