[f. Gr. ἔθνο-ς nation + -λογία discourse: see -LOGY.] The science that treats of races and peoples, and of their relations to one another, their distinctive physical and other characteristics, etc.
1842. Prichard, Nat. Hist. Man, 132. The history of nations termed ethnology, must be mainly founded on the relations of their languages.
1847. Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc., IV. 353. Dr. Bethune made some remarks on ethnology, a term he preferred to ethnography.
1878. Lubbock, Preh. Times, Pref. 9. Ethnology in fact is passing at present through a phase from which other sciences have safely emerged.
