somatology

noun

so·​ma·​tol·​o·​gy ˌsō-mə-ˈtä-lə-jē How to pronounce somatology (audio)
: a branch of anthropology primarily concerned with the comparative study of human evolution, variation, and classification especially through measurement and observation
somatological
ˌsō-mə-tə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce somatology (audio)
sō-ˌma-
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin somatologia, from somat- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

circa 1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of somatology was circa 1878

Rhymes for somatology

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Browse Nearby Words

somatogenic variation
somatology
somatome
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Somatology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/somatology. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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Medical Definition

somatology

noun
so·​ma·​tol·​o·​gy ˌsō-mə-ˈtäl-ə-jē How to pronounce somatology (audio)
plural somatologies
: physical anthropology
somatological
ˌsō-mət-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce somatology (audio)
adjective
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