Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Social?

\So"cial\, a. [L. socialis, from socius a companion; akin to sequi to follow: cf. F. social. See {Sue} to follow.] 1. Of or pertaining to society; relating to men living in society, or to the public as an aggregate body; as, social interest or concerns; social pleasure; social benefits; social happiness; social duties. ``Social phenomena.'' --J. S. Mill. 2. Ready or disposed to mix in friendly converse; companionable; sociable; as, a social person. 3. Consisting in union or mutual intercourse. Best with thyself accompanied, seek'st not Social communication. --Milton. 4. (Bot.) Naturally growing in groups or masses; -- said of many individual plants of the same species. 5. (Zo["o]l.) (a) Living in communities consisting of males, females, and neuters, as do ants and most bees. (b) Forming compound groups or colonies by budding from basal processes or stolons; as, the social ascidians. {Social science}, the science of all that relates to the social condition, the relations and institutions which are involved in man's existence and his well-being as a member of an organized community; sociology. It concerns itself with questions of the public health, education, labor, punishment of crime, reformation of criminals, and the like. {Social whale} (Zo["o]l.), the blackfish. {The social evil}, prostitution. Syn: Sociable; companionable; conversible; friendly; familiar; communicative; convival; festive.