craniology
(kreɪnɪˈɒlədʒɪ)
[mod. f. Gr. κρᾱνίον skull (cranio-) + -λογία: see -logy. In mod.F. craniologie.]
† 1. The study of the configuration of the skull as indicating the comparative development of the ‘organs’ or faculties; now known as phrenology.
| 1806 Med. Jrnl. XV. Mar. heading, An Account of Dr. Gall's System of Craniology. 1843 Borrow Bible in Spain xl. (1872) 233 He had a villainously formed head according to all the rules of craniology. |
2. The study of the size, shape, and character of the skulls of various races, as a part of anthropology.
| 1851 D. Wilson Preh. Ann. (1863) I. ix. 293 The craniology of the later tumuli. 1883 Tylor in Nature 3 May 8 The mixture of races..in Europe makes European craniology a study of extreme difficulty. |