craniology

[ krey-nee-ol-uh-jee ]

/ ˌkreɪ niˈɒl ə dʒi /

noun

the science that deals with the size, shape, and other characteristics of human skulls.

Nearby words

craniofacial dysostosis, craniofenestria, craniograph, craniography, craniol., craniology, craniom., craniomalacia, craniometer, craniometric point, craniometry

Origin of craniology

First recorded in 1800–10; cranio- + -logy

Related forms

cra·ni·o·log·i·cal

[krey-nee-uh-loj-i-kuh l] /ˌkreɪ ni əˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, adjectivecra·ni·o·log·i·cal·ly, adverbcra·ni·ol·o·gist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for craniology

The most amusing thing to me was an English lecture on craniology by Spurzheim.
Tour in England, Ireland, and France, in the years 1826, 1827, 1828 and 1829.|Hermann Pckler-Muskau
This introduced, I cannot tell how, some remarks on the head, which led to a disquisition on craniology.
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction.|Various
The craniology of the Caribs is scantily known, and there is much yet to be divulged.
Christopher Columbus and How He Received and Imparted the Spirit of Discovery|Justin Winsor
A hard-working scientist, he paid special attention to craniology.
A Biographical Dictionary of Freethinkers of All Ages and Nations|Joseph Mazzini Wheeler

But the march of craniology or phrenology, by whatever name it is called, is directly the reverse of this.
Thoughts on Man|William Godwin

British Dictionary definitions for craniology

craniology

/ (ˌkreɪnɪˈɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the branch of science concerned with the shape and size of the human skull, esp with reference to variations between different races

Derived Forms

craniological (ˌkreɪnɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjectivecraniologically, adverbcraniologist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for craniology

craniology

[ krā′nē-ŏl′ə-jē ]

n.

The scientific study of the characteristics of the skull, such as size and shape, especially in humans.