anthropologists
|an-thro-pol-o-gists|
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/ˌænθrəˈpɑːlədʒɪsts/
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/ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒɪsts/
(anthropologist)
study of humans
Etymology
'anthropologist' originates from modern English formation based on Greek: from 'anthropo-' (from Greek 'anthrōpos' meaning 'human') + '-logy' (from Greek 'logia'/'logos' meaning 'study' or 'speech'), with the agentive suffix '-ist' added to form a person who studies it.
'anthropologist' developed from the noun 'anthropology,' which entered English in the mid-18th century from French 'anthropologie' and ultimately from Greek 'anthrōpos' + 'logos.' The agentive form 'anthropologist' emerged later (early 19th century) to denote a person practicing anthropology.
Initially the roots referred to 'the study of humans' in general; over time the derived term 'anthropologist' came to mean specifically 'a person who studies humans (in social, cultural, biological, or linguistic contexts).'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a scholar or scientist who studies human societies, cultures, customs, and social relationships (often focusing on social and cultural anthropology).
Anthropologists study how different societies organize family life and kinship.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a scientist who studies the biological and evolutionary aspects of humans, including physical traits, fossils, and human origins (often called a biological or physical anthropologist).
Some anthropologists specialize in human evolution and spend years analyzing fossil remains.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/26 02:50