[ad. L. ēthologia, a. Gr. ἠθολογία, f. ἠθολόγ-ος: see prec. and -LOGY.]
† 1. The portrayal of character by mimic gestures; mimicry. Obs.–0
1656–81. in Blount, Glossogr.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
† 2. According to the Dicts.: The science of ethics; also, a treatise on manners or morals. Obs.
1678–1706. in Phillips.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
3. In recent use (after J. S. Mill): The science of character-formation.
1843. Mill, Logic, VI. v. § 4. The laws of the formation of character … are to be obtained by [etc.]. A science is thus formed, to which I would propose to give the name of Ethology, or the science of character.
