sociology

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

sociology
    n 1: the study and classification of human societies

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Sociology \So`ci*ol"o*gy\, n. [L. socius a companion + -logy.]
   That branch of philosophy which treats of the constitution,
   phenomena, and development of human society; social science.
   --H. Spencer.
   [1913 Webster]