phrenology


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phre·nol·o·gy

 (frĭ-nŏl′ə-jē)
n.
The study of the shape and protuberances of the skull, based on the now discredited belief that they reveal character and mental capacity.
phren′o·log′ic (frĕn′ə-lŏj′ĭk, frē′nə-), phren′o·log′i·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj.
phre·nol′o·gist n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

phrenology

(frɪˈnɒlədʒɪ)
n
(Medicine) (formerly) the branch of science concerned with localization of function in the human brain, esp determination of the strength of the faculties by the shape and size of the skull overlying the parts of the brain thought to be responsible for them
phrenological, phrenologic adj
phreˈnologist n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

phre•nol•o•gy

(frɪˈnɒl ə dʒi, frɛ-)

n.
a system of character analysis based upon the belief that certain faculties and personality traits are indicated by the configurations of the skull.
[1815; < Greek phren-, s. of phrḗn mind + -o- + -logy]
phren•o•log•ic (ˌfrɛn lˈɒdʒ ɪk) phren`o•log′i•cal, adj.
phren`o•log′i•cal•ly, adv.
phre•nol′o•gist, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

phre·nol·o·gy

(frĭ-nŏl′ə-jē)
The study of the shape of the skull as a means of determining character and intelligence. Phrenology has been disproven as a science.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

phrenology

a system by which an analysis of character and of the development of faculties is attempted by studying the shape and protuberances of the skull. — phrenologist, n. — phrenologic, phrenological, adj.
See also: Head
-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

phrenology

1. The study of the shape of the human skull, especially with a view to determining character.
2. This pseudo-science developed in the 19th century and holds that certain characteristics—such as wit, normality, aggression or benevolence—are related to particular parts of the brain and can be recognized by bumps on the contour of the head.
3. Assessing character from the presence of bumps on the head, developed by F. J. Gall in the nineteenth century.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.phrenology - a now abandoned study of the shape of skull as indicative of the strengths of different facultiesphrenology - a now abandoned study of the shape of skull as indicative of the strengths of different faculties
craniology - the scientific study of the skulls of various human races
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations

phrenology

[frɪˈnɒlədʒɪ] N → frenología f
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

phrenology

n → Phrenologie f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

phrenology

[frɪˈnɒlədʒɪ] n → frenologia
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
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References in classic literature ?
Apply this spinal branch of phrenology to the Sperm Whale.
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Crocus would that evening deliver a lecture on Phrenology for the benefit of the Belleville public; at a charge, for admission, of so much a head.
Many of the bystanders shake their heads in concert with the doctor, and laugh too, and look at each other as much as to say, 'A pretty bright and first-rate sort of chap is Crocus!' and unless I am very much mistaken, a good many people went to the lecture that night, who never thought about phrenology, or about Doctor Crocus either, in all their lives before.
View in context
"Jour printer by trade; do a little in patent medi- cines; theater-actor -- tragedy, you know; take a turn to mesmerism and phrenology when there's a chance; teach singing-geography school for a change; sling a lecture sometimes -- oh, I do lots of things -- most anything that comes handy, so it ain't work.
View in context
Here our whole party, joining voices, detailed, at great length, the assumptions of phrenology and the marvels of animal magnetism.
View in context
Astronomy to the selfish becomes astrology; psychology, mesmerism (with intent to show where our spoons are gone); and anatomy and physiology become phrenology and palmistry.
View in context
Shimi Carmelli, former owner of a shop that sold phrenology busts, at times wishes he suffered from Beryl's frequent memory lapses.
Live a Little
Arranged chronologically from pre-1900 to the present, entries include discussion of acupuncture, folk medicine, Chinese traditional medicine, homeopathy, phrenology, sanatoriums, spiritualism, psychoanalysis, dream interpretation, aromatherapy, biofeedback, astrology, herbal remedies, voodoo and Santeria, crystals, guided imagery, naturopathic medicine, self-help, vitamins and minerals, walking and jogging, breathwork, cupping, art and music therapy, pet therapy, and psychedelic drugs, among others.
Alternative Healing in American History: An Encyclopedia from Acupuncture to Yoga
Phrenology areas of the our different supposedly However, at the time the latter was a popular theory that was taken deadly seriously.
HOW A PHONEY PHRENOLOGY BOOM BECAME A WORRYING HEADACHE FOR COLLECTORS
Phrenology 'mapped' areas of the brain where our different faculties supposedly resided L-R: Ink head: This phrenology head is also an inkwell, dating from the 1860s, sold for PS300.
HOW A PHONEY PHRENOLOGY BOOM BECAME A WORRYING HEADACHE FOR COLLECTORS
(Like many early psychological theories, that process, called phrenology, was later proved to be worthless.)
Psychology museum explores what makes us human
It surveys the prehistory of neuro-enhancement with amphetamines or coffee, early experiments with electricity and magnetism, and the cult of phrenology. Adam goes back to Francis Galton, a cousin of Darwin, who coined the word "eugenics"; to Alfred Binet, inventor of the first intelligence test for children based on "mental age"; and to Charles Spearman, who hypothesised a single, measurable "general intelligence".
Is intelligence fixed at birth?

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