from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Phrenology \Phre*nol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. frh`n, freno`s, the mind +
-logy: cf. F. phr['e]nologie.]
1. The science of the special functions of the several parts
of the brain, or of the supposed connection between the
various faculties of the mind and particular organs in the
brain.
[1913 Webster]
2. In popular usage, the obsolete physiological hypothesis of
Gall, that the mental faculties, and traits of character,
are shown on the surface of the head or skull; craniology.
it is considered a pseudo-science by all reputable medical
personnel, but is still believed by some people.
Syn: craniognomy.
[1913 Webster + PJC]
Note: Gall marked out on his model of the head the places of
twenty-six organs, as round inclosures with vacant
interspaces. Spurzheim and Combe divided the whole
scalp into oblong and conterminous patches. --Encyc.
Brit.
[1913 Webster]
[1913 Webster]