phrenology

noun phre·nol·o·gy \fri-ˈnä-lə-jē\

Definition of PHRENOLOGY

: the study of the conformation of the skull based on the belief that it is indicative of mental faculties and character

— phre·no·log·i·cal \ˌfre-nə-ˈlä-ji-kəl, ˌfrē-\ adjective

— phre·nol·o·gist \fri-ˈnä-lə-jist\ noun

Greek phren-, phrēn

First Known Use: 1805

Medical Dictionary

noun phre·nol·o·gy \fri-ˈnäl-ə-jē\

plural phre·nol·o·gies

: the study of the conformation of the skull based on the belief that it is indicative of mental faculties and character

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