phrenology

(fri nälə jē)

noun

a system, popular esp. in the 19th cent., based on the assumption that an analysis of character can be made by a study of the shape and protuberances of the skull

Origin: phreno- (sense ) + -logy

Related Forms:

See phrenology in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
The study of the shape and protuberances of the skull, based on the now discredited belief that they reveal character and mental capacity.

Related Forms:

  • phrenˌo·logˈic (frĕnˌə-lŏjˈĭk, frēˌnə-), phrenˌo·logˈi·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adjective
  • phre·nolˈo·gist noun

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