definitions

physical anthropology

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR physical anthropology ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the branch of anthropology dealing with the evolutionary changes in human anatomy and physiology, using mensurational and descriptive techniques.

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RELATED WORDS

anthropogeny, anthropography, somatology

Nearby words

physiatry, physic, physic nut, physical, physical allergy, physical anthropology, physical capital, physical change, physical chemistry, physical diagnosis, physical double star
Compare cultural anthropology.

Origin of physical anthropology

First recorded in 1870–75

Related forms

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

British Dictionary definitions for physical anthropology

physical anthropology

noun

the branch of anthropology dealing with the genetic aspect of human development and its physical variations
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

Science definitions for physical anthropology

physical anthropology

[ fĭz′ĭ-kəl ]

The branch of anthropology that deals with human evolutionary biology, physical variation, and classification. Compare cultural anthropology.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.