craniology

American  

[krey-nee-ol-uh-jee] / ˌkreɪ niˈɒl ə dʒi /

noun

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

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craniology British  

/ ˌkreɪnɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌkreɪnɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• craniological
  adjective
• craniologist
  noun
• craniologically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of craniology

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

Example Sentences

Craniology, or phrenology, proceeds exactly in the same train, as chiromancy, or any of those pretended sciences which are built merely on assumption or conjecture.

From Thoughts on Man, His Nature, Productions and Discoveries Interspersed with Some Particulars Respecting the Author by Godwin, William

To what, then, can we resort, when the failures of Pathology and Vivisection are admitted, and we perceive the limited extent of the uncertain results of Craniology?

From Buchanan's Journal of Man, January 1888 Volume 1, Number 12 by Buchanan, Joseph R. (Joseph Rodes)

Craniology; measurements of skull and face, sutures, angles, nasal and orbital indices, dentition, artificial deformations. b.

From Anthropology As a Science and as a Branch of University Education in the United States by Brinton, Daniel Garrison

Cranioscopy, Pathology, and Vivisection, their failures recognized—Limitations of Craniology and its stationary condition—Human Impressibility explained—Its prevalence in different climates—Method of testing it.

From Buchanan's Journal of Man, January 1888 Volume 1, Number 12 by Buchanan, Joseph R. (Joseph Rodes)

The article was suppressed, and one on "Gall and his Craniology" substituted.

From A Publisher and His Friends Memoir and Correspondence of John Murray; with an Account of the Origin and Progress of the House, 1768-1843 by Smiles, Samuel