Somatotype
/ˈsoʊ.mə.toʊ.taɪp/noun
A classification of body type based on physical build and shape.
Did you know?Somatotype was coined in the 20th century from Greek roots, showing how modern science still borrows the language of ancient bodies to classify human form.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
sōma
“body”
Ancient Greek
Greek
typos
“a blow, mark left by a blow; impression; model”
20th Century
English
somatotype
“a system for classifying body build”
Modern English
English
somatotype
“a classification of body type based on physical build and shape”
Explore more surprising origins