/ ˌsəʊsiˈɒlədʒi; NAmE ˌsoʊsiˈɑːl-/ noun
[ U ] the scientific study of the nature and development of society and social behaviour
► socio·logic·al / ˌsəʊsiəˈlɒdʒɪkl; NAmE ˌsoʊsiəˈlɑːdʒ-/ adjective :
sociological theories
► socio·logic·al·ly / -kli; NAmE / adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: from French sociologie (see socio- , -logy ).