phrenology

[ fri-nol-uh-jee, fre- ]

/ frɪˈnɒl ə dʒi, frɛ- /

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noun

a psychological theory or analytical method based on the belief that certain mental faculties and character traits are indicated by the configurations of the skull.

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Origin of phrenology

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; phreno- + -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM phrenology

phren·o·log·ic

[fren-l-oj-ik], /ˌfrɛn lˈɒdʒ ɪk/, phren·o·log·i·cal, adjectivephren·o·log·i·cal·ly, adverbphre·nol·o·gist, noun

Words nearby phrenology

-phrenia, phrenic, phrenitis, phreno-, phrenol., phrenology, phrensy, Phrixus, phronesis, phrygana, Phrygia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use phrenology in a sentence

His demented phrenology monologue to Django all but seals it.
The Daily Beast’s Oscar Nominees: Leonardo DiCaprio, Anne Hathaway & More|Marlow Stern|January 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They thus founded the pseudoscience denominated phrenology, which we now know has practically nothing to justify itself.
An Epitome of the History of Medicine|Roswell Park
He was, perhaps, best known shortly before his death, when delivering lectures on phrenology.
An Epitome of the History of Medicine|Roswell Park
But when they try to settle what women are good for, by phrenology, I like to have them put their tape round my head.
A Mortal Antipathy|Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I suppose phrenology is an open question, on which everybody has a right to speak his mind.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. I (of 3)|George Eliot
But I am much less interested in crusades for or against phrenology than in your happiness at Ivy Cottage.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. I (of 3)|George Eliot

British Dictionary definitions for phrenology

phrenology

/ (frɪˈnɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

(formerly) the branch of science concerned with localization of function in the human brain, esp determination of the strength of the faculties by the shape and size of the skull overlying the parts of the brain thought to be responsible for them

Derived forms of phrenology

phrenological (ˌfrɛnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjectivephrenologist, 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