craniology

[krey-nee-ol-uh-jee]

noun

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

Origin of craniology

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

Related formscra·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. 2018

Examples from the Web for craniology

Historical Examples of craniology

But Craniology or skull-study cannot perfect, nor can it positively demonstrate, the science.
Buchanan's Journal of Man, January 1888
Various
This would alone suffice to explain the pre-eminent position assigned to craniology in the natural history of man.
The Races of Man
Joseph Deniker
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
Whether their skull indicates this by the modern principles of craniology, or not, I cannot say.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 2, 1917
Various
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

noun

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

Derived Formscraniological (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

craniology in Medicine

craniology

[krā′nē-ŏl′ə-jē]

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