I. ˈsō-shəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin socialis, from socius companion, ally, associate; akin to Old English secg man, companion, Latin sequi to follow — more at sue
Date: 14th century
1. : involving allies or confederates
the Social War between the Athenians and their allies
2.
a. : marked by or passed in pleasant companionship with one's friends or associates
leads a very full social life
b. : sociable
c. : of, relating to, or designed for sociability
a social club
3. : of or relating to human society, the interaction of the individual and the group, or the welfare of human beings as members of society
social institutions
4.
a. : tending to form cooperative and interdependent relationships with others of one's kind : gregarious
b. : living and breeding in more or less organized communities
social insects
c. of a plant : tending to grow in groups or masses so as to form a pure stand
5.
a. : of, relating to, or based on rank or status in a particular society
a member of our social set
b. : of, relating to, or characteristic of the upper classes
c. : formal
6. : being such in social situations
a social drinker
II. noun
Date: 1870
: sociable