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Glite Dictionary
primatology

primatology

1 8.7
The study of monkeys and apes, especially their bodies, behavior, and how they changed over time
  • noun
  • /praɪˈmeɪtɑlədʒi/
  • Specialized
: primatología
  • Researchers in this field, basing their work on observations from primatology, have identified the major physiological mechanism of empathy and begun to elucidate how the experience of empathy actually occurs in the brain.
  • International Journal of Primatology
  • Journal of Primatology

Examples

  • And out of that came a completely shocking concept that ran through primatology like a bolt of lightning.

  • I have a PhD in physical anthropology, which involves some training in primatology (the study of non-human primates).

    Blog text (23)

  • Also, I was inspired by primatology, which I was studying at that time along with my wife.

  • Readers learn about primatology and the fascinating story of humans teaching their primate cousins to communicate through human language.

    Academic text (1998)

  • I'm currently stuck because I had planned to pursue my Master's and PhD in primatology for years, but I have recently found out that the field is so small, specialized, and competitive that I would have a difficult time finding a job.

    Blog text (6)

  • If this interpretation holds up, it could have a major impact on the field of primatology because it would overturn long-held ideas about how living apes can be used as models of humanity's earliest ancestors.

    Academic text (2010)

  • The research in primatology has revealed fascinating insights into the behavior of chimpanzees.

  • Students who study primatology often conduct field research to observe primate interactions in their natural habitats.

  • Her documentary provided an overview of primatology, highlighting the similarities between humans and our closest relatives.

Surface Forms

primatology singular
primatologies plural

Morphology

primatology = primate (transparent) = primat + ology

The word is a straightforward classical formation meaning 'the study of primates'.

Etymology

Primatology comes from primate ('monkeys and apes') and the ending -ology ('study of'), the same ending you see in biology and geology. So, primatology simply means the 'study of' primates, which is why it is the science about their behavior, bodies, and evolution.